At least five dead and 86 missing after passenger ferry fire

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Dozens of people are missing and at least five were killed after a ferry went up in flames in the Philippines.

The blaze swept on board the MV June Aster ferry off the island’s coast yesterday evening.

It was heading to Coron in the Palawan province, a popular tourist destination famed for its crystal waters and cliffs.

Coast guard pulled 43 people out of the sea after the vessel burst into flames, while 87 people are unaccounted for.

What was left of MV June Aster after it burst into flames off the Philippines coast (Picture: EPA)

The fire happened on board a ferry to Coron, a tourist hotspot known for its clear waters and cliffs (Picture: AFP)

The ferry, which took off from the capital Manila, was carrying 134 people when the alarm was raised at about 6.45pm local time.

Footage shows the ferry fully ablaze and still at least partially floating as rescuers scoured the sea at nightfall.

Two Chilean nationals were pulled out of the water, according to BBC News.

The fire is believed to have started in the ferry’s cargo hold, from where it spread, according to survivors (Picture: via REUTERS)

The ferry was around 1.3 miles offshore when the incident happened.

The cause of the fire has not been confirmed yet, but the coast guard said it may have started in the cargo hold before quickly spreading, citing survivor accounts.

Coast Guard spokeswoman Commodore Noemi Cayabyab told local broadcasters: ‘We have tried to get stories from the survivors but they are still in shock.

Survivors were brought ashore near Coron, Palawan, in the Philippines, after the ferry was engulfed in flames (Picture: EPA)

‘Some passengers were not wearing life vests.’

Serious incidents on ferries are not uncommon in the country, which is made up of more than 7,600 islands.

In January, 65 people died when a vessel carrying 293 people sank near Baluk-baluk island in the country’s southern region.

In March 2023, MV Lady Mary Joy 3, a passenger ferry, was engulfed in flames en route from Jolo to Zamboanga City, killing 33 people.

Metro has contacted the UK Foreign Office for a comment.

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