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Ferry fire leaves five dead, 87 missing
The M/V June Aster caught fire near Coron, leaving five dead and scores unaccounted for.
What happened
A fire broke out on the M/V June Aster near Coron, Palawan, after it left Manila on Wednesday night. The ferry was carrying passengers and crew. Five people died and 87 were missing, while rescuers searched the waters around the vessel and crews worked to control the fire.
Numbers
- 5 deadConfirmed fatalities after the fire — Toll may change
- 87 missingPeople unaccounted for in update — Rescue operation continued
- 134 aboardPassengers and crew on manifest — Listed before the fire
- 43 rescuedPeople brought to safety — Another update listed 42
Questions
- What did initial interviews indicate?
- Preliminary survivor interviews pointed to the cargo hold, the compartment used for goods, as the fire's starting point.
- Why was boarding delayed?
- Thick smoke, intense heat and concern about explosions prevented entry, while currents moved the ferry away from its initial location.
- Were life vests an issue?
- The coastguard noted some passengers were not wearing life vests, which help people stay afloat after leaving a vessel.
- How was medical care arranged?
- Seven survivors were taken to a hospital on Culion, a neighbouring island with more beds and broader health services.
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The catch
The fire's cause remains under investigation, and rescue totals differed as operations continued.
Counts changed during rescue.