Headline
MV June Aster ferry fire death toll rises to 76; 13 still missing
ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 13, 2026
Photo courtesy: Philippine News Agency
MANILA, Philippines — The death toll from the MV June Aster ferry fire off Coron, Palawan has climbed to 76 after authorities recovered 41 more bodies from the charred vessel, the Philippine Coast Guard said Saturday.
The latest recovery came after 30 bodies were retrieved earlier from the ferry, on top of five fatalities initially confirmed following the Sept. 9 fire. Thirteen people remain missing, while 43 survived.
The vessel’s manifest originally listed 134 passengers and crew, but the PCG later determined that two people had not boarded, bringing the confirmed number of people aboard to 132.
The MV June Aster was traveling from Manila to Coron when it caught fire Wednesday evening, about 39 kilometers from its destination.
The blaze was declared extinguished Friday, allowing authorities to enter the vessel and begin recovering bodies. Several remains were found in the ship’s economy accommodation area.
The newly recovered remains are being transported to Coron, where forensic teams will work to identify the victims before they are released to their families. DNA testing may be necessary for remains that cannot be identified visually.
The cause of the fire has not yet been officially determined.
Survivors told investigators they heard a loud explosion near the cargo hold before smoke and flames spread rapidly through the vessel. The Coast Guard said strong winds may have contributed to the speed of the fire, but authorities are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the disaster.
The PCG is also examining whether proper emergency procedures were followed and whether the vessel’s captain and crew fulfilled their responsibilities as passengers evacuated.
Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc., which operates the MV June Aster, has said it is cooperating with authorities investigating the incident.
Search and retrieval operations are continuing for the 13 people who remain unaccounted for.
