At least five killed, over 80 missing in Philippine ferry fire: Report

Manila: At least five people have died and 87 others are missing following a fire on a ferry near a tourist destination in Palawan, Philippines, according to the Philippine Coast Guard on Thursday.

The fire broke out Wednesday evening on the M/V June Aster approximately 2.2 kilometers (1.3 miles) off the coast, with coast guard officials confirming five bodies have been brought to shore. Video released by the agency on Facebook showed the vessel fully engulfed in flames.

The ship's manifest recorded 134 passengers and crew on board. Among the 42 individuals rescued so far, 38 were passengers and four were crew members. MarineTraffic tracking data indicated that the vessel had originally departed from Manila.

Coast guard Captain Noemi Cayabyab provided details during a local radio interview on Thursday. "Based on the data we have right now on rescued (42) and the casualties, we still have 87 people who are unaccounted for," Cayabyab stated, adding, "Just to make it clear, this is live data and may change as our search and rescue operations are ongoing." She noted that authorities were still working to gather details from survivors, saying, "However, we have not yet been able to obtain information from the rescued individuals because we have not been able to speak with them."

Search and rescue operations, alongside efforts to extinguish the blaze, remain active. (AFP)