Palawan: The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that at least five people have died and 87 are missing following a fire that erupted on a ferry near a tourist area in the Palawan province of the western Philippines.

According to Qatar News Agency, Commodore of the PCG Noemie Guirao-Cayabyab informed local media that 42 individuals were rescued, and the bodies of five victims were recovered. However, 87 people remain unaccounted for. The ferry was transporting a total of 134 people, including crew members, at the time of the incident. Efforts to extinguish the fire are still being conducted.

Data from the Marine Traffic website indicated that the ferry, named MV June Aster, had set off from Manila and caught fire approximately 2.2 kilometers from the coast. The situation has prompted an urgent response from maritime authorities to manage the ongoing emergency.