30 bodies recovered from burned ferry, 54 still missing off western Philippines

The Philippine Coast Guard said Friday that 30 bodies had been recovered from the charred remains of a passenger ferry that caught fire off the western Philippine province of Palawan earlier this week, while 54 people remained missing.

The MV June Aster was initially reported to be carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members when it departed Manila for Coron in Palawan before catching fire Wednesday night.

Five people were confirmed dead that same night, while 43 passengers and crew members were rescued.

The number of people possibly missing was revised from 86 to 84 after two individuals listed on the manifest confirmed they had not boarded the vessel.

The Philippine Coast Guard said in a statement that authorities reported an initial count of 30 bodies recovered aboard the vessel after the fire was extinguished and a safety assessment was completed.