The fire that gutted a passenger ferry in the Philippines killed at least 35 people and spread so quickly that one man said he had no time to get a life jacket as panicked passengers stepped on him. Fifty-four people remain missing after the fire broke out Wednesday night near Palawan province. There were 43 survivors.
In this handout provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, rescuers transfer the remains of victims of the recent fire on the MV June Aster ferry on Friday Sept. 11, 2026 off Coron, Palawan province, western Philippines. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)
This photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard shows the ferry MV June Aster off Palawan province, western Philippines, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, days after it caught fire. (Philippine Coast Guard via AP)
This photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard shows damages on the ferry MV June Aster off Coron, Palawan province, western Philippines, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, days after it caught fire.(Philippine Coast Guard via AP)
Lira Daco, left, wipes tears beside husband Menandro as they wait for news of their missing daughter in Coron, Palawan province, western Philippines, Friday Sept. 11, 2026, days after the ferry MV June Aster caught fire off Coron. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
