30 bodies pulled from fire-hit ferry, more remains still aboard

National

THIRTY bodies have been recovered from the fire-ravaged MV June Aster off Coron, Palawan, while more remains are still believed to be aboard the vessel, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Friday, Sept. 11.

The recovery began after authorities declared the fire out at approximately 10:15 a.m. and conducted a safety assessment of the ferry, the PCG said in a Facebook post.

Burnt remains were observed in the economy accommodation area during the assessment.

According to a Philstar report, PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said the retrieval and transfer of the cadavers began at around 5:16 p.m. using the BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV-4411).

The 30 recovered remains are scheduled to be transported to the Port of Borac in Coron, Palawan, on Saturday, Sept. 12, with an estimated arrival time of 11 a.m.

Cayabyab said more bodies remained aboard the vessel after the 30 cadavers were transferred to the Coast Guard patrol boat.

The fire broke out Wednesday after survivors reported hearing a loud explosion, followed by smoke and flames. Cayabyab said the fire spread very quickly, with “everything” happening within seconds.

The Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police-Scene of the Crime Operations and other concerned agencies are conducting the recovery and identification of the remains.

The PCG also deployed oil spill booms as a precaution after an assessment found no signs of oil sheen in the surrounding waters.

Hundreds of people have sought information about the incident through comments on the Facebook page of a local mayor, looking for relatives, friends and even a dog.

The ferry’s manifest listed 134 crew and passengers, although the Coast Guard said two had not boarded. The vessel was also carrying goods, an electric vehicle, a pickup truck and motorcycles.

The incident adds to the Philippines’ history of deadly ferry disasters. In January, a triple-decker ferry carrying more than 340 people sank off the southern Philippines, killing at least 52 people.

The M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 sank along nearly the same route where 31 people died in 2023 after a fire broke out aboard the Lady Mary Joy 3 ferry.

Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc., which owns the vessel, earlier said it was cooperating with the investigation.(MyTVCebu)