The death toll from a ferry fire in the Philippines has risen to 76 after rescuers recovered 41 additional bodies from the vessel off Palawan province.
The Philippine Coast Guard said on Saturday that 13 people remained missing following the blaze that engulfed the M/V June Aster on Wednesday evening.
The ferry was carrying 132 passengers and crew members when the fire broke out about 2.2 kilometres from its destination of Coron in northern Palawan.
Rescuers managed to pull 43 survivors from the water after the incident.
Investigators said survivors reported hearing a series of explosions before the flames quickly spread through the passenger areas.
Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemi Cayabyab said strong winds may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
She also said some passengers jumped into the water after seeing the flames and may not have had enough time to get their life jackets.
Forensic teams and police officers are working to identify the recovered remains through personal belongings and DNA matching.
Authorities are also reviewing the vessel’s safety procedures and the actions of its captain during the early stages of the disaster.
Cayabyab said the number of deaths and missing passengers raised questions about possible liability involving the vessel’s command.
The ferry operator, Atienza Interisland Ferries, has pledged full transparency and assistance to affected families, including accommodation, transportation and medical support, as investigations continue.
