Death toll from Philippines ferry fire rises to 76, with more still missing

ByTabby Wilson and Tiffanie Turnbull. 12 September 2026, 04: 02 BST.

Key points

• The coast guard remarked on Saturday the number of survivors remained 43, with numerous receiving treatment in hospital, but 13 individuals remain unaccounted for.
• Geronimo Tuvilla, an official for the Philippine Coast Guard, remarked the priority was identifying victims and determining the cause of the blaze.
• Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab remarked the fire began in a cargo hold before spreading.
• The vessel was carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members.
• Kristine Ablana, a tourism official in Coron, remarked relatives were being asked to assist identify family members through personal items and DNA testing.

In practice, the Philippine Coast Guard notes it has recovered 41 bodies from the wreckage of a ferry that caught fire this week, bringing the total death toll to 76.

After departing from Manila, more than 130 individuals were on board the MV June Aster when the blaze erupted on Wednesday as it neared its destination at the tourist hotspot of Coron.

Meanwhile, the coast guard remarked on Saturday the number of survivors remained 43, with numerous receiving treatment in hospital, but 13 individuals remain unaccounted for.

Recovery of bodies had been hampered due to toxic fumes and lingering heat. It meant authorities were unable to board until Friday.

"Once someone is able to verify that this photo or these belongings are indeed those of their relative, they will be asked to provide a DNA sample, " she remarked.

She remarked survivors had described hearing a loud explosion, "the appearance of smoke and then fire. It spread particularly swiftly". She continued that those who had produced it off the ship did not have time to put on lifejackets.

In practice, a survivor who was hauled to safety on a rescue boat informed the BBC he had heard frantic cries onboard when the fire erupted, and was trampled by panicked residents as he tried to escape.

For context, the ferry, built in 2002, held valid safety certificates and passed an enforcement inspection in March, but investigators are looking into potential manifest discrepancies, cargo loading integrity, and crew emergency response protocols, the Palawan Daily documented. The vessel was carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members.

Atienza Interisland Ferries, the vessel's operator, has pledged full co-operation with the inquiry.

Taken together, the developments around death toll from Philippines ferry fire rises to 76, with more still point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.