The death toll from a ferry fire in the Philippines has risen to 76, with 13 people still missing. The Philippine Coast Guard reported on Saturday that it had recovered 41 bodies from the wreckage of the MV June Aster, a vessel that caught fire earlier this week. The fire occurred on Wednesday as the ferry was approaching the tourist destination of Coron, having departed from Manila. The ferry was carrying 134 people, including 117 passengers and 17 crew members. As of Saturday, 43 people had been confirmed as survivors, with many receiving medical treatment in hospitals. However, 13 individuals remain unaccounted for. Recovery efforts were delayed due to toxic fumes and high temperatures, which prevented authorities from boarding the vessel until Friday. Geronimo Tuvilla, a Philippine Coast Guard official, said the focus was on identifying victims and determining the cause of the fire. Relatives of the missing are being asked to help identify their loved ones using personal items and DNA testing. According to Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab, the fire began in a cargo hold before spreading rapidly. Survivors described hearing a loud explosion, followed by smoke and flames that spread quickly. Many who escaped the ship did not have time to put on lifejackets. A survivor rescued by a rescue boat told the BBC he heard frantic cries onboard and was trampled by panicked people as he tried to escape. The ferry, built in 2002, had valid safety certificates and passed a recent inspection in March. However, investigators are looking into possible issues such as discrepancies in the passenger manifest, the integrity of cargo loading, and the crew’s emergency response. The ferry’s operator, Atienza Interisland Ferries, has pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation. The incident has raised concerns about safety protocols and emergency preparedness on Philippine ferries.