Palawan Ferry Fire Kills Five, Leaves 87 Missing

A fire aboard the passenger ferry M/V June Aster off Palawan, near the tourist destination of Coron, killed at least five people and left 87 unaccounted for, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. The vessel, which had departed Manila, was carrying 134 passengers and crew when it caught fire Wednesday evening about 1.2 nautical miles offshore. Forty-two people—38 passengers and four crew members—were rescued, while coast guard and other responding vessels continued search-and-rescue operations. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.