Charred Remains From Deceased Passengers of Philippine Ferry Arrive After Tragedy Claims 35+

CORON, Philippines — Thirty charred bodies were discovered inside the burned passenger ferry in western Philippines and have arrived at a port on Saturday for identification. The shipfire that occurred earlier in the week resulted in the deaths of at least 35 people and left more than 50 others missing.

Retrieval operations continue as additional bodies are still inside the MV June Aster, according to coast‑guard officers who supplied a tally of survivors. There were 43 survivors among the 132 people aboard the vessel.

The ferry departed from Manila and was en route to the Port of Coron when the blaze was reported late Wednesday evening.

Authorities have not yet identified the fire’s origin, though one survivor suggested it may have begun in the cargo hold. The survivor recalled hearing a loud explosion accompanied by rapid spread of smoke and flames driven by wind.

Body bags were transported to the Port of Borac in Coron, Palawan province, where they were placed onto tents. The forensic unit responsible for the examination has taken custody of the remains.

Commodore Noemie Cayabyab, the coast‑guard spokesperson, noted that a search is underway for the ship’s captain, who survived the incident but is not counted among the survivors.

Multi‑agency maritime safety and criminal investigation teams will examine every angle and assess the possible liability of the captain and crew.

Survivors described a swift unfolding of events, leaving little time to secure life jackets. A tarpaulin covering exposed deck sections may have contributed, although investigators cannot confirm whether anyone remained trapped inside.

Investigators will also verify whether fire‑emergency protocols were observed, including whether the captain raised alarms, issued warnings, and directed the crew to assist passengers.

Images provided earlier by the coast guard showed the charred interior of the ship and what appeared to be human remains, ashes and burnt metal, including a car.

Arnulfo Nokki Villanueva, a passenger, recounted how the chaos unfolded after the fire spread rapidly, noting he was unable to obtain a life jacket amid the panic.

Lira Daco, whose 20‑year‑old daughter is missing, expressed pain at contemplating her child’s possible fatal injury and at the difficulty of identifying her among the charred remnants.

According to the transport manifest, 134 individuals were aboard the vessel, consisting of 117 passengers and 17 crew members. The 53‑metre ship carried capacities for 306 passengers and 27 crew, and two riders were recorded as having omitted boarding.

Two of the survivors were tourists from Chile, the coastal‑guard liaison reported, and they have already left Coron; local authorities have coordinated with their embassy.

Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc released a statement saying the company is assisting families and victims alike while working closely with coast‑guard and maritime officials to locate missing passengers and ascertain the fire’s cause.

Port of Coron is a well‑known tourism destination celebrated for its crystal‑clear waters, limestone cliffs and striking rock formations.

Ferries play a vital role in inter‑island transport throughout the Philippine archipelago, and maritime accidents occur regularly due to storms, substandard vessels, overcrowding and uneven enforcement of safety standards, especially in remote regions.

In 1987 the Dona Paz ferry sank after colliding with a fuel‑tanker in the central islands, resulting in more than 4,300 deaths—the deadliest peacetime maritime catastrophe.

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Cerojano reported from Manila, Philippines.

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