Five dead and 86 missing as 'heartbreaking' fire breaks out on Philippines ferry
The fire broke out as the vessel nearing its destination at the tourist hotspot of Coron in Palawan.
At least five people have died and 86 are missing after a fire broke out on a ferry in the Philippines, the country's coastguard said.
The MV June Aster, which set off from the capital Manila ferrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members, was nearing its destination at the tourist hotspot of Coron in the province of Palawan when it caught fire.
The blaze, which erupted at 18:00 local time (10:00 GMT) Wednesday, was still burning as of 11:00 on Thursday. The strong currents and poor weather were a challenge to those working to extinguish it, the coastguard said.
"I was expecting that the ferry will arrive at the pier at between 18:00 and 19:00 yesterday," she said, adding that she had gone to bed early but was awakened by a cousin who told her the ferry Marlon was on had caught fire.