A fire broke out on the ferry M/V June Aster off the coast of Coron in the Philippines, leading to at least five deaths and leaving 87 people missing. The incident occurred near a popular tourist area in the province of Palawan, which is located west of the main island of Luzon. The vessel was carrying more than 100 passengers and crew members when it caught fire approximately 1.2 nautical miles northeast of Barangay Marcilla, according to the Philippine coast guard (PCG). The fire was reported to the authorities, who immediately responded to the emergency. The coast guard shared a video showing the ferry completely engulfed in flames. After about two hours of rescue operations, they confirmed that five bodies had been recovered and brought ashore. Photos released by the coast guard showed several body bags, while 42 people were successfully rescued. The vessel had departed from Manila, the capital of the Philippines, and was en route when the fire broke out. According to GMA News, citing a coast guard official, the M/V June Aster was carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members at the time of the incident. The coast guard issued a statement on Thursday morning, September 10, 2026, confirming the fire occurred near a tourist site and highlighting the ongoing search for the missing individuals. The situation has raised concerns about maritime safety in the region, especially for ferries that transport large numbers of passengers. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire and are working to locate the remaining missing persons. The Philippine coast guard has emphasized its commitment to rescuing those still unaccounted for and ensuring the safety of all involved. This incident has drawn attention from both local and international media, underscoring the need for improved safety measures on such vessels.