WAITING Policemen and villagers in Coron, Palawan, wait for updates as search and rescue operations continue on Thursdayfor the more than 80 missing passengers and crew of MV June Aster. The ferry caught fire on Wednesday night, killing at leastfive. — Photo from Philippine Coast Guard
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — At least five people were killed and 86 remain missing after a fire broke out on a passenger ferry as it was nearing the tourist town of Coron in Palawan province on Wednesday night, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Thursday.
The blaze broke out on MV June Aster past 6 p.m. Wednesday while the vessel was about 2.2 kilometers offshore northeast of Coron’s Barangay Marcilla. Video shared by the PCG on Facebook showed the vessel completely engulfed in flames.
Hundreds of people, desperate for news about the incident, have left comments on the Facebook page of Coron Mayor Mario Reyes, searching for relatives, friends and even a dog.
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