Philippines begins identifying victims as ferry fire death toll reaches 35

Philippine authorities commenced forensic identification of victims in Coron town after a ferry fire raised the death toll to at least 35, with over 50 people still missing.

Firefighters accessed the burned vessel on Friday after extinguishing the blaze, discovering burnt remains in the economy accommodation section.

The Maritime Industry Authority reported survivor accounts of hearing two explosions inside the vessel shortly before the fire broke out.