Ferry Catches Fire Near Palawan in Philippines

A ferry carrying 137 people caught fire in waters near Coron, a popular tourist destination in the Philippines, while travelling towards Palawan. The vessel, identified as MV June Astor, reportedly had 117 passengers and 17 crew members on board when the incident occurred on Wednesday night. Initial reports indicate that at least five people have died, while 87 remain missing and 42 have been rescued. A Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson said 42 people had been rescued by 11:02 p.m., with the recovered bodies taken to Coron. The accident occurred around 1.2 nautical miles from the shoreline.

Sea travel is a common mode of transport in the Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands, particularly for connecting islands that lack direct air links and for transporting goods. Coast Guard officials said weather conditions were unfavourable on Wednesday night, with strong waves in the area. The ferry was reportedly pushed about 7.6 nautical miles away from the location of the accident. The incident has once again raised concerns over maritime safety, as inadequate maintenance and alleged violations of safety protocols have been cited as factors behind previous ferry accidents in the country.