Five Dead and 86 Missing After Philippines Ferry Fire

At least five people died and 86 remain missing after the MV June Aster ferry caught fire on Wednesday at 18:00 local time near Coron, Palawan.

The vessel, which departed Manila with 117 passengers and 17 crew, drifted 7.68 nautical miles from its initial distress location due to strong currents and poor weather conditions.

Coastguard officials have rescued 43 people, but the search continues for the missing as the ferry remains engulfed in flames nearly 17 hours after the blaze began.