Incident Overview
A fire engulfed MV JUNE ASTER near Coron, Palawan, Philippines on September 9, 2026. Early Coast Guard figures listed 134 people aboard, including 117 passengers and 17 crew. By early September 10, officials reported at least five deaths, 42 rescues and 87 people unaccounted for. The figures were provisional while search and rescue operations continued.
Incident Timeline
The ferry had departed Manila for Coron. The fire was reported at about 6:45 p.m. local time. Coast Guard units, local emergency teams, commercial vessels and volunteer fishing boats joined the response. Responders transferred survivors to smaller craft and continued firefighting and searches into September 10. Officials warned that the manifest, rescue and casualty totals could change as people were located and identified.
Incident Factors
The cause of the fire remained under investigation. Available official reporting did not establish an ignition source or confirm whether machinery, electrical equipment, cargo or another factor was involved. Bad weather, large waves and currents complicated the rescue.