A passenger ferry named "MV June Aster" caught fire late Wednesday evening off the coast of Coron island in the western Philippine province of Palawan, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. At least five people have died, 43 have been rescued, and more than 80 remain missing. Rescue operations are being hampered by heavy smoke and extreme heat, firefighters reported on Friday.

The ferry had originated in Manila and was nearing its destination, the tourist hotspot of Coron, when the fire broke out. Coast Guard spokeswoman Noemie Cayabyab told a radio interview that the fire started in "seconds." Survivors reported hearing a loud explosion before smoke and flames rapidly engulfed the vessel. Some passengers did not have time to put on life jackets. Cayabyab later added that the fire began in the cargo hold and may have spread more quickly due to strong winds.

The vessel was carrying electric cars, motorcycles, cargo, heavy-duty equipment, and provisions for the crew and passengers. Some passengers jumped into the sea and remained afloat until they were rescued. The ferry caught fire approximately 7 kilometers (4.5 miles) off the village of Turda. The Coast Guard initially reported 86 missing but later revised the number to 84 after confirming that two people on the manifest had not been on board.

The Coast Guard has deployed several vessels and divers, while army rescue boats, fishermen, and private resort owners have also assisted in the search. Although the exact cause of the accident has yet to be officially determined, survivors reported hearing explosions inside the ship and said a small fire quickly escalated.

Ferries are one of the most widely used forms of transport in the Philippines, an archipelago made up of 7,600 islands. The country has a history of maritime accidents, some of which are caused by overcrowding, adverse sailing conditions, and lax safety standards.

Source: www.dw.com