Death toll from Philippine ferry fire rises to 76

What the report says

The death toll from a ferry fire in the central Philippines has climbed to 76 after search teams recovered 41 more bodies from the M/V June Aster, the Philippine Coast Guard said. Thirteen people remain missing following the blaze, which struck while the vessel was travelling from Manila toward Coron in Palawan province on Wednesday evening.

According to the coastguard, the ship was carrying 132 passengers and crew when fire engulfed its lower decks just a short distance from its destination. Rescuers pulled 43 survivors from the water that night. Officials said the latest remains were found during ongoing recovery operations off Palawan, and forensic teams are now working with police to identify victims through personal items and DNA matching.

The cause of the fire is still under review. Investigators, relying on survivor accounts, have said they heard a series of explosions before the flames spread quickly through passenger areas. Coastguard spokesperson Commodore Noemi Cayabyab said wind may have helped the fire move rapidly, and noted that some passengers may have jumped overboard without time to grab life jackets.

Maritime authorities are also examining safety procedures and the ship captain’s actions in the opening moments of the disaster. The ferry operator, Atienza Interisland Ferries, said it would cooperate fully and provide support to affected families as the investigation continues.