Deadly Philippines ferry fire leaves scores of people missing

Five people were confirmed dead ⁠in early counting and ​more than 80 were missing after a ferry caught fire ⁠off Palawan island in the western Philippines on Wednesday night, the Philippine coast ⁠guard said.

Forty-three people were ​rescued from the MV ‌June Aster in waters off Coron, Palawan, the coast guard said. Footage showed flames engulfing parts of the vessel and responders placing victims ‌in body bags.

Coast guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab told DZXL radio the vessel’s manifest listed 117 passengers and 17 crew members.

Based on the reported number of survivors and fatalities, more than ⁠80 people were unaccounted for, and Cayabyab ​said ​the figures might change ​as the rescue operation continued.

A survivor is assisted as he gets off a small boat after being rescued from the burning ferry. Photograph: Philippine coast guard/AP

The ​ferry had ‌departed from ​Baseco ​in Manila and was bound for Coron, she said.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.