
So far, 42 people have been rescued, and efforts are ongoing, so the count of 87 people missing may change, Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said in a radio interview.
People stand aboard MV June Aster as flames and smoke rise after a fire broke out on the ferry, off the coast of Palawan, Philippines. | Photo Credit: Reuters
Ms. Cayabyab said that 134 people were on board, 117 passengers and 17 crew.
Images from the scene showed coast guard personnel tossing life jackets to survivors as the ferry burnt in the background. Small boats also took survivors into shallow water.
In this image provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, a survivor is assisted as he alights from a small boat after being rescued from a burning ferry off Palawan province, Philippines. | Photo Credit: AP