On the evening of September 9, 2026, the Philippine passenger-cargo ferry MV June Aster caught fire in the waters off Coron, Palawan, resulting in a major maritime tragedy.
Here is what is currently known about the incident:
* The Incident: The ferry was traveling from Manila to the popular tourist destination of Coron. At around 6:45 PM, a fire broke out approximately 1.2 nautical miles northeast of Barangay Marcilla.
* Casualties: As of September 13, the death toll has reached 76. Many of the victims were found trapped in the economy section of the vessel. There are 43 confirmed survivors, and 13 people remain missing out of the 132 people confirmed to have been on board.
* Cause of the Fire: The exact cause is still under official investigation. However, survivors reported hearing a loud explosion from the cargo hold before the ship was rapidly engulfed in flames. The vessel's cargo included vehicles such as an electric car, motorcycles, a forklift, and a pick-up truck.
* Contributing Factors: The fire spread very quickly, causing panic that prevented many from securing life jackets. Authorities are investigating whether a heavy tarpaulin, which had been set up to shield passengers from the rain, may have inadvertently trapped people inside the ship.
* Ongoing Investigation: The Philippine Coast Guard, National Police, and Armed Forces are conducting search, retrieval, and investigative operations. Authorities are also looking into the criminal and civil liability of the shipping company, Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc., and the ship's captain, who reportedly survived but has yet to be located.
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