World
'People were trampling me': Philippine ferry fire survivor recalls narrow escape
A survivor has told the BBC of the chaos onboard as the ferry caught fire near the popular tourist spot of Coron.
BBC World•
Passengers on board a ferry to the Philippines' Palawan province were jolted into chaos on Wednesday night, when a fire broke out on the vessel.
Frantic cries pierced the night sky as hot air filled the boat, recalls Roland Lerma, one of more than 100 passengers aboard the MV June Aster.
Five people have died and 86 people are missing after the fire, which, in a country where shipping accidents are not uncommon, could become one of the deadliest maritime disasters the Philippines has seen.
The company said in a statement on Thursday that it was co-operating fully with authorities and expressed "profound sadness" about the fire.