Philippine rescuers resumed searching off Palawan on Friday after a ferry fire killed at least five people and left 84 missing. Thick smoke from the burned vessel prevented responders from boarding, while 43 people had been rescued. The ferry was traveling from Baseco in Manila to Coron when the blaze broke out, and the cause remained unclear.
In this photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, ferry MV June Aster smolders off Palawan province, western Philippines, Sept. 11, days after it caught fire. AP-Yonhap
MANILA — Philippine rescuers on Friday resumed the search for survivors of a ferry fire that killed at least five people off the western province of Palawan, with more than 80 people still missing.
Rescue operations were complicated by thick smoke still emanating from the burned vessel, preventing responders from boarding the ferry, Cayabyab, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard, said.
Cayabyab said the number of missing was revised to 84 from 86 after authorities verified that two people originally listed on the manifest had not been on board. The number of people rescued stood at 43.
