Rescuers Board Charred MV June Aster 40 Hours After Fiery Disaster

Fri Sep 11 2026 13:03:48 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Philippine coast guard crews finally breached the smoke‑filled wreck of MV June Aster, rescuing survivors and searching for 84 missing passengers after a blaze erupted Wednesday night.

The MV June Aster, a passenger‑cargo ferry bound for Coron, trapped its crew and passengers in a blaze that began on Wednesday evening. Over 40 hours later, Philippine coast guard teams boarded the charred hull, extracting 43 survivors and confirming five fatalities. While 84 people remain missing, the rescue effort continues with boats, divers and aerial surveys deployed to locate those who may still be trapped. Investigations into the cause of the fire and safety compliance are underway, with the operator pledging full cooperation.

On Friday morning, Philippine coast guard crews finally entered the smoke‑cloaked wreck of the MV June Aster, a passenger‑cargo ferry that caught fire on Wednesday night while sailing from Manila to Coron, Palawan.

The rescue team reported finding 43 survivors, many of whom were receiving emergency treatment aboard the rescue vessel. Officials confirmed five deaths, and 84 passengers remain unaccounted for.

According to Coast Guard spokeswoman Noemie Cayabyab, “The biggest challenge is penetrating the ship because of thick smoke and extreme heat. Toxic fumes and carbon monoxide pose a severe risk to our personnel.” The teams were able to board the hull at about 11:30 local time (03:30 GMT) after weeks of battling the lingering fire.

Images shared by the Coast Guard show smoke rising from the heavily charred vessel, although the plume had largely dissipated by Friday afternoon. An aerial survey and radio broadcasts to nearby vessels are part of the widened search strategy.

Survivors describe the chaos: a 30‑year‑old passenger named Roland Lerma recalled screaming and scrambling to the deck, falling while trying to escape the flames, and eventually leaping into the sea. “It was cold in the water. If the rescue had been delayed, I would definitely have died,” Lerma said.

Investigations are now focused on the ship’s manifest, cargo loading, and crew emergency protocols. The vessel, built in 2002, held valid safety certificates and passed an enforcement inspection in March. Its operator, Atienza Interisland Ferries, pledged full cooperation and a commitment to locating every missing passenger.