PALAWAN-BOUND SHIP CATCHES FIRE; 5 DEAD, OVER 80 MISSING

A PASSENGER ship on Wednesday night caught fire in the waters off Coron, Palawan leaving five people dead while 87 others remained missing.

According to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab, 43 passengers were rescued.

An investigation showed that a fire broke out inside MV June Aster, operated by Atienza Interisland Shipping Line , at around 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday.

The passenger vessel was carrying carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members when it departed from the Port of Manila bound for Coron, Palawan.

Survivors told probers that they scampered for their safety after seeing the fire spreading, Some of the passengers they said jumped off the burning ship.

The missing individuals are still the subject of rescue operations.

Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire.