The death toll from a passenger ferry fire in the Philippines has increased to 35, with authorities continuing to search for 54 individuals who remain missing. The disaster occurred on Wednesday night while the vessel was traveling from Manila, reaching a point approximately 7.4 kilometers (4.5 miles) off the village of Turda near its destination of Coron in Palawan province when the blaze was reported.
Coast guard officials confirmed that 43 survivors have been accounted for following the incident. Among those rescued were two tourists from Chile, who are currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Coron, according to Rachel Conserman, a staffer for the vessel's owner, Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc. The company stated it is actively coordinating with maritime authorities and the coast guard to locate the missing and provide assistance to affected families.
Recovery efforts at the scene have been hampered by hazardous conditions. Rescuers reported significant challenges entering the charred wreck on Thursday due to intense heat and lingering smoke, which slowed the search for victims potentially trapped inside. Images released by the coast guard depicted the ship’s gutted interior, littered with ashes, burnt metal, and debris, including a charred vehicle.
The vessel, which measured 53 meters (174 feet) in length, had a capacity for 306 passengers and 27 crew members. According to the ship's manifest, there were 134 people on board at the time of the fire, consisting of 117 passengers and 17 crew. The coast guard noted that two individuals listed on the manifest reported that they ultimately did not board the ship. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
For families waiting for news, the situation has been agonizing. Lira Daco, who was waiting at a rescue center in Turda for information about her 20-year-old daughter, Cyriel, expressed the difficulty of the recovery process. She noted the pain of not being able to recognize or identify the remains found within the vessel. Survivor Arnulfo Nokki Villanueva, in a video broadcast by News5, described the chaotic scene as the fire spread rapidly. He recounted how he was burned on his back after dropping to the floor to escape the flames and smoke, eventually jumping from a window after failing to secure a life jacket due to the panic on board.
Ferries serve as a vital mode of transportation across the Philippine archipelago. However, maritime accidents remain a recurring issue in the region, often attributed to factors such as severe weather, poorly maintained vessels, instances of overcrowding, and inconsistent enforcement of safety regulations, particularly in remote areas. The nation previously witnessed one of the world's deadliest peacetime maritime disasters in 1987, when the ferry Dona Paz collided with a fuel tanker, resulting in more than 4,300 deaths.
