The death toll from a devastating ferry fire in the Philippines has risen to 35, after rescue teams recovered 30 additional bodies from the burned-out vessel off the coast of Palawan. Authorities said 54 people remain missing, while 43 survivors have been accounted for.

The disaster occurred on Wednesday night aboard the MV June Aster, a passenger ferry travelling from Manila to Coron, a popular tourist destination in Palawan. The vessel was nearing the end of its journey when it caught fire approximately 7.4 kilometres from the village of Turda.

The ferry was carrying 134 people according to its passenger manifest, including 117 passengers and 17 crew members. Two people listed on the manifest later informed authorities that they had not boarded the vessel.

Fire Spread Rapidly on Ferry

Survivors described a chaotic situation after the fire broke out. According to accounts cited by maritime authorities, two successive explosions were heard inside the vessel before flames rapidly spread through the ship.

One survivor said the fire moved so quickly that passengers struggled to reach safety. Some attempted to escape through windows and others were forced to jump into the sea.

A survivor identified as Arnulfo Nokki Villanueva described being knocked to the floor after the flames spread. He said he suffered burns and eventually escaped by jumping through a window. He also recalled that passengers were struggling to obtain life jackets amid the panic.

The intensity of the fire made it difficult for passengers and crew members to carry out an orderly evacuation. Smoke and extreme heat also prevented rescuers from immediately entering parts of the damaged vessel.

Dozens of Bodies Found Inside Burned Ferry

Rescue workers initially reported five deaths after the incident. However, as authorities gained access to the badly damaged vessel, they discovered additional victims inside the ferry.

Thirty more bodies were recovered from the burned-out vessel, taking the confirmed death toll to 35.

The Philippine Coast Guard said some of the remains were located in the ferry’s economy accommodation area. Because of the severe damage caused by the fire, forensic teams were brought in to assist with recovery and identification.

Images released after the incident showed sections of the vessel severely damaged by the blaze, with burned metal, ash and other debris visible inside. Authorities have stressed that the recovery and identification process must be conducted carefully and respectfully because of the condition of the remains.

With 54 people still unaccounted for, search and recovery operations remain underway.

Families Await News of Missing Relatives

The growing death toll has left families waiting anxiously for information about relatives who were travelling aboard the ferry.

At rescue centres near the site of the disaster, relatives have gathered in search of updates about missing family members. The uncertainty has been particularly painful for families because many of the recovered remains are severely damaged and may require forensic identification.

Authorities are working to establish the identities of those recovered and determine which passengers remain missing.

The tragedy has also raised concerns among relatives about the flow of information following the accident, with some families saying they have struggled to receive timely details about their loved ones.

Two Chilean Tourists Among Survivors

Two Chilean tourists were among those rescued from the ferry, according to information provided by the vessel’s operator. They were receiving medical treatment in Coron following the incident.

Authorities said there was no immediate information indicating that other foreign nationals were among those aboard the vessel.

Coron, the ferry’s intended destination, is one of the Philippines’ best-known tourist areas and is popular for its clear waters, limestone formations and marine attractions.

Cause of Fire Remains Under Investigation

The exact cause of the fire has not yet been established.

Investigators are examining survivor accounts, the condition of the vessel and the circumstances surrounding the reported explosions. Authorities have not yet reached a final conclusion about what triggered the blaze or why it spread so rapidly.

The ferry had been carrying vehicles and other cargo, and investigators are expected to examine whether anything in the cargo area contributed to the fire.

The Philippine Coast Guard and other maritime authorities are continuing to investigate the incident while search teams work to locate those still missing.

The ferry operator has said it is cooperating with authorities and assisting passengers and their families following the disaster.

Difficult Rescue Operation

The rescue effort was complicated by the condition of the vessel and the surrounding sea conditions. Thick smoke and extreme heat initially prevented rescuers from entering several sections of the ferry.

As the vessel cooled sufficiently for investigators and recovery teams to approach damaged areas, more bodies were discovered.

The search operation involves government agencies and rescue personnel working to recover victims and establish a complete account of everyone who was aboard the ship.

The continuing operation is expected to focus on both recovering additional victims and gathering evidence that could help investigators determine the circumstances that led to the fire.

Renewed Concerns Over Maritime Safety

The incident has once again highlighted longstanding concerns over maritime safety in the Philippines, where ferries play a major role in connecting thousands of islands.

For many Filipinos, sea travel remains an affordable and practical alternative to air transportation. Long-distance ferry services connect major cities and remote communities, making them an important part of the country’s transport network.

However, maritime disasters have repeatedly raised questions about vessel maintenance, emergency preparedness, passenger capacity and enforcement of safety regulations.

The Philippines has experienced several major ferry disasters over the decades. One of the most notorious was the 1987 sinking of the Dona Paz, which followed a collision with an oil tanker and killed more than 4,300 people, making it one of the world’s deadliest peacetime maritime disasters.

More recent ferry accidents have also underscored the continuing risks faced by passengers travelling between the country’s islands.

Search and Identification Efforts Continue

As authorities continue their operation near Palawan, the priority remains locating the 54 people still reported missing and identifying those whose remains have already been recovered.

Investigators will also examine the ferry’s safety systems, operational records and the circumstances surrounding the outbreak to determine whether any failures contributed to the scale of the disaster.

For families waiting for news, however, the immediate concern remains finding their loved ones and bringing the victims home.

The investigation is expected to provide further information about how the fire began, how quickly it spread and whether existing safety procedures were adequate to protect passengers and crew during the emergency.