KEY POINTS
• Five people have died after a passenger ferry caught fire off Palawan.
• Authorities say 87 people remain missing while 42 have been rescued.
• An investigation will examine the cause of the fire and possible safety breaches.
MAIN STORY
At least five people have died and 87 remain missing after a passenger ferry caught fire off the coast of Palawan in the Philippines, authorities said on Thursday.
The Philippine Coast Guard said 42 people had been rescued, although the figures could change as search and rescue operations continued.
The MV June Aster was sailing from Manila to Coron on Wednesday evening when the fire broke out about two kilometres from the coast.
Authorities believe 134 people were aboard the vessel. The Philippine News Agency reported that the number comprised 117 passengers and 17 crew members.
The coastguard, fire service and nearby vessels have joined the operation to locate those still unaccounted for.
The cause of the fire has not yet been established, and authorities have opened an investigation.
Investigators are also expected to determine whether the ferry complied with safety requirements, including rules on passenger capacity and the provision of life jackets.
The vessel was travelling towards Coron, a tourist destination on Busuanga Island known for its beaches, limestone formations and diving sites.
THE ISSUES
The investigation will focus not only on what caused the fire but also on whether safety measures were properly followed before and during the voyage.
Authorities are examining the possibility of overloading and whether every passenger had access to a life jacket. The final number of people aboard will also be important as rescue operations continue.
WHAT’S BEING SAID
“The figures were not yet final as rescue operations were continuing.” – Noemie Cayabyab, Philippine Coast Guard spokeswoman
WHAT’S NEXT
Search and rescue operations are continuing, with the coastguard, fire service and other vessels involved.
Authorities will investigate the cause of the fire and assess whether any safety regulations were breached.
BOTTOM LINE
Five people have died and 87 are missing after the MV June Aster caught fire off Palawan. Forty two people have been rescued, while authorities continue the search and investigate possible safety violations.
