Philippine authorities have warned that identifying the 76 victims killed in a ferry fire aboard the MV June Aster could take weeks or months.
Richard Allan Mangalip, a forensic specialist from the Philippine National Police, told reporters on Sunday that most recovered remains were in a charred condition.
Forensic teams are “trying their best to collect the possible identifying marks,” but establishing a timeline is difficult due to the high volume of specimens.
Mangalip added that some victims’ remains were found clustered together inside the vessel, reports BBC. Family members have been asked to provide personal items or DNA samples to assist identification.
The MV June Aster had set off last Tuesday from Manila bound for Coron in Palawan province, a popular holiday destination among local and foreign tourists known for its beaches and WW2 shipwreck diving sites.
Besides tourists, the ferry was carrying passengers travelling for work or to visit family.
A fire started in the cargo hold and spread rapidly throughout the vessel. Passengers recalled hearing a loud explosion before chaos erupted on board.
One survivor told the BBC he was trampled after falling on the floor, before jumping into the sea and being rescued hours later. Many others burned to death on board.
The blaze burned for more than a day, releasing heat and toxic fumes that impeded search and rescue operations. It took more than 40 hours before rescuers could board the ship. According to authorities, 43 people survived whilst 13 remain unaccounted for.
A Philippine Coast Guard official stated on Saturday that priorities remain identifying victims and determining the cause of the blaze.
In a statement on Sunday, the coast guard expressed sympathy for families facing “pain and uncertainty” as recovery and identification efforts remain underway.
