Philippines ferry fire death toll rises to 76

More than 130 passengers and crew members were aboard the MV June Astor when the ferry caught fire near the tourist city of Coron on Wednesday. The vessel had been travelling from Manila to Coron.

The Philippine Coast Guard said on Saturday (September 12) that 43 people were rescued alive after the accident. Many of them are receiving treatment at hospitals. However, 13 people remain unaccounted for.

Rescue operations faced several obstacles from the beginning. Toxic smoke and intense heat inside the ferry prevented rescuers from entering the wreckage. Once the situation was brought under some control, recovery of the bodies began on Friday.

Coast Guard official Geronimo Tuvilla said the authorities’ top priorities are now identifying the recovered bodies and determining the exact cause of the fire.

Christine Ablana, an official of Coron’s tourism department, said efforts were underway to identify the victims through their relatives. Personal belongings and DNA testing would be used if necessary.

She said that if relatives can identify a victim from photographs or recovered personal belongings, DNA samples will be collected from them to confirm the identity.

Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemi Cayabyab said the fire started in the ferry’s cargo area before quickly spreading to other parts of the vessel.

According to survivors, they heard a loud bang shortly before the fire broke out. Smoke then appeared and the flames spread rapidly. The situation deteriorated so quickly that many passengers did not even have time to put on life jackets.

A passenger who safely reached a rescue vessel told the BBC that he heard the screams of terrified people inside the ferry after the fire broke out. While trying to escape, he was nearly trampled as panicked passengers rushed to get out.

The ferry, built in 2002, had a valid safety certificate and had passed an inspection by the relevant authorities as recently as March this year, local media outlet Palawan Daily reported. However, investigators are examining whether there were discrepancies between the passenger manifest and the actual number of people aboard, whether the cargo had been properly loaded, and whether there were any shortcomings in the crew’s emergency preparedness and response.

The ferry was carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members, according to reports.

The vessel’s operator, Atienza Interisland Ferries, has pledged full cooperation with the investigation.

Meanwhile, search and rescue operations are continuing to locate those still missing. Authorities are also working to identify the victims and determine the exact cause of the fire.

The devastating accident has once again raised questions about the effectiveness of safety measures for passenger ferries operating in the Philippines.

-MT