Kathmandu [Nepal], September 12 – Firefighters entered a charred ferry in Philippine waters on Friday two days after a fire killed five people and left 84 missing as intense heat and smoke had delayed search efforts.
The MV June Aster caught fire Wednesday evening while sailing from Manila to Coron in Palawan province. The vessel was about 7.4 kilometres off Turda village when the blaze was reported.
Coast guard images showed firefighters aboard the ferry after the smoke appeared to subside. Coast guard communications officer Joy Dianne Gumatay said authorities had yet to receive an update on what rescuers found inside.
Authorities rescued 43 people some from the dark waters surrounding the burning vessel. Survivor Arnulfo Nokki Villanueva said the fire spread quickly and he jumped through a window after suffering burns.
The vessel had 134 people aboard, including 117 passengers and 17 crew according to its manifest. Two passengers later reported that they had failed to board leaving 84 people unaccounted for.
Two Chilean tourists were among the survivors and were being treated in a hospital in Coron, according to the ship owner’s representative.
The cause of the fire remains unknown. The shipping company said it was assisting survivors and families while coordinating with authorities to locate the missing and determine the cause.
