A passenger ferry, the M/V June Aster, catches fire off Coron, Palawan, prompting a rescue operation by the Philippine Coast Guard on Wednesday evening. Officials report the blaze starts when the vessel is located about 1.2 nautical miles northeast of Barangay Marcilla. The Coast Guard receives the report at around 6:45 p.m. and responds as the fire spreads.
Outlets report that more than 100 passengers and crew are on board. Inquirer.net says 117 passengers and 17 crew are aboard, with at least 28 people rescued by around 9 p.m. Times of India reports that 42 people are saved and also says at least five people are killed. Both accounts attribute the response to the Coast Guard, which coordinates rescue efforts and brings survivors to an area onshore while operations continue.
