Coron, Philippines — Philippine rescuers have finally entered the burned remains of the MV June Aster, more than 40 hours after a deadly fire broke out aboard the passenger-cargo ferry traveling from Manila to the popular island destination of Coron.
At least five people have died and 43 others have been rescued, according to authorities. Many of those rescued were taken to hospitals for medical treatment. As of Friday morning, 84 people were still listed as missing.
The Philippine Coast Guard said its personnel managed to board the damaged vessel at around 11:30 local time on Friday, after earlier attempts were delayed by extreme heat and dangerous smoke inside the ferry.
Rescuers Face Toxic Smoke and Extreme Heat
Photos released by the Philippine Coast Guard showed smoke continuing to rise from the badly damaged ferry on Friday morning. Later images suggested that the smoke had begun to weaken, allowing rescue teams to move closer to the vessel.
Coast Guard spokeswoman Noemie Cayabyab said the biggest challenge had been getting inside the ship safely. Thick smoke, high temperatures and potentially toxic fumes continued to pose serious risks to rescue personnel.
Smoke produced by incomplete combustion can contain dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, making conditions inside the ferry particularly hazardous.
Because of the difficult conditions, authorities spent much of Thursday working around the vessel rather than entering its interior. Once conditions became safer, rescue personnel were able to begin searching the burned sections of the ship.
Search Area Expanded
Authorities have expanded the search beyond the ferry itself as teams continue looking for people who may have entered the sea during the emergency.
The Coast Guard has deployed one of its larger vessels to the area and has used radio broadcasts to alert nearby ships. Divers and medical personnel are also supporting the operation.
Aerial surveillance was conducted over the surrounding waters to help identify possible survivors or evidence connected to the disaster.
A local diver in Coron told the BBC that his team was ready to assist the official search operation and was waiting for instructions from the Coast Guard.
Fire May Have Started in Cargo Hold
Investigators are focusing on the ferry's cargo hold, where containers and other goods are stored. Preliminary interviews with survivors indicate that this may have been the area where the fire first broke out.
The Coast Guard said firefighting operations were expected to continue, beginning in the cargo section once conditions allowed personnel to work there safely.
Officials have also raised concerns about the emergency evacuation. Some passengers were reportedly not wearing life jackets when the fire spread.
Survivor Describes Chaotic Escape
Survivors have described a terrifying scene as passengers tried to escape the burning vessel in darkness.
Roland Lerma, a 30-year-old survivor, told the BBC that he fell while attempting to get away from the fire. He said people were running and trampling over one another as they desperately searched for a way off the ferry.
After falling to the floor, Lerma said he crawled until he was able to stand again. He eventually jumped from the ferry into the sea.
He also recalled seeing children in the water after they had jumped from the vessel, although the darkness made it impossible for him to identify them.
Lerma said the water was extremely cold and that he believed he would not have survived if rescuers had arrived later.
Ferry Was Nearing Coron When Fire Broke Out
The MV June Aster had departed from Manila and was approaching Coron, a major tourist destination in Palawan, when the fire erupted on Wednesday evening.
The vessel was carrying both passengers and cargo when the emergency began, prompting people on board to flee the burning ship and enter the water.
The incident has raised fresh questions about ferry safety and emergency procedures in the Philippines, where passenger vessels play an important role in connecting the country's many islands.
Investigation Underway
The Philippines' maritime authorities are now investigating what caused the fire and whether any safety procedures were breached.
The ferry was built in 2002 and reportedly held valid safety certificates. It also passed an enforcement inspection in March, according to reports cited by the Palawan Daily.
Investigators are expected to examine several issues, including possible discrepancies in the passenger manifest, the way cargo was loaded and secured, and the crew's response during the emergency.
The ferry's operator, Atienza Interisland Ferries, has said it will cooperate fully with the investigation.
In a statement released Thursday, the company expressed sympathy for the families affected by the tragedy and said efforts would continue until everyone connected to the incident had been accounted for.
Rescue Effort Continues
With dozens of people still unaccounted for, search and rescue teams remain focused on both the ferry and the surrounding waters.
Authorities are continuing to assess the condition of the vessel while coordinating divers, coast guard personnel, medical teams and nearby vessels involved in the search.
For families waiting for news of their loved ones, the operation remains a race against time as rescuers work through the damaged ferry and search the waters around the disaster site.
