Five people were confirmed dead and more than 80 remained missing after a ferry caught fire off Palawan island in the western Philippines on Wednesday night, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
The coast guard said 43 people were rescued from the MV June Aster in waters off Coron, Palawan, reports The Guardian.
Footage showed flames engulfing parts of the vessel, while rescuers were seen placing victims in body bags.
Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab told DZXL radio that the vessel’s manifest listed 117 passengers and 17 crew members.
Based on the reported number of survivors and fatalities, more than 80 people remained unaccounted for.
Cayabyab said the figures could change as the rescue operation continued.
The ferry had departed from Baseco in Manila and was bound for Coron, she said.
Authorities were investigating the cause of the fire.
