Five dead and 86 missing as 'heartbreaking' fire breaks out on Philippines ferry

At least five people have died and 86 are missing after a fire broke out on a ferry in the Philippines, the country's coastguard said. The MV June Aster, which set off from the capital Manila ferrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members, was nearing its destination at the tourist hotspot of Coron in the province of Palawan when it caught fire. The blaze, which erupted at 18:00 local time on Wednesday, was still burning as of 11:00 on Thursday. Strong currents and poor weather made it challenging for responders to extinguish the fire. The coastguard reported that the ferry had drifted 7.68 nautical miles away from its initial distress location due to the currents. Reports from the coastguard indicated that 43 people had been rescued, but the state of their injuries remained unclear. Survivors were taken to an evacuation centre in Barangay Turda. The coastguard is investigating the cause of the fire. Anelyn Magbanua is among those anxiously waiting for news of her loved ones, whose husband Marlon was on the ferry. The ferry was originally supposed to arrive at the pier between 18:00 and 19:00 on Wednesday, but the fire broke out. The coastguard has released video clips showing the vessel engulfed in flames and people being pulled out of the water into rescue boats.