The Philippine Coast Guard said the MV June Aster was about 2.2 kilometres from shore near Barangay Marcilla when the fire started on Wednesday evening as the vessel made its way from Manila to Coron in Palawan province. Coast Guard Captain Noemi Cayabyab stated that 42 people had been rescued, including 38 passengers and four crew members, while five bodies were recovered and brought ashore. According to the coast guard the ship’s manifest listed 134 people on board, consisting of 117 passengers and 17 crew, leaving 87 unaccounted for though Cayabyab noted those figures were preliminary and could change as the search progressed.
Video shared by the Philippine Coast Guard on social media showed the ferry completely engulfed in flames against the night sky. Cayabyab told local radio that attempts to put out the fire were ongoing into Thursday and that rescuers had not yet been able to interview the survivors. The spokesperson added that the coast guard was working tirelessly because time is of the essence in such operations and expressed understanding for the anxiety of families with relatives still missing.
The destination of Coron is a popular tourist area in Palawan known for its clear waters, towering cliffs and World War II shipwrecks that draw scuba divers from around the globe, according to information from the Philippine Department of Tourism. The ferry had departed from the Port of Manila and was nearing its arrival point when the blaze erupted roughly 1.2 nautical miles northeast of Barangay Marcilla. Survivors were transported to an evacuation centre in nearby Barangay Turda after being pulled from the water by coast guard teams and assisting fishermen.
The Philippine Coast Guard has responded to numerous maritime incidents across the archipelago in recent years where sea travel connects more than 7,000 islands and carries millions of passengers annually on inter-island routes. Data from the coast guard indicates that ferry services form a vital part of domestic transportation in the country. In this incident the cause of the fire aboard the MV June Aster remains under investigation, with no preliminary details released by authorities.
Cayabyab informed media outlets including CNA and Reuters that the numbers of rescued, dead and missing were based on the latest available data from the manifesto and on-scene reports. Footage released by the coast guard depicted responders placing bodies in bags and throwing life jackets to people in the water. The operation continued with support from local vessels as officials worked to determine the full scope of the casualty count.
Philippine authorities have yet to release the identities of those who died or were rescued pending notification of their families, according to updates from the coast guard. Search and rescue teams were expected to maintain efforts until all individuals are located, the Philippine Coast Guard indicated in its briefings. Regional reports from outlets such as the BBC and ABC News noted that the proximity of the fire to land had aided the initial rescue of the 42 survivors.
Добавить комментарий