A survivor of a ferry fire in the Philippines described being trampled as chaos erupted onboard the vessel shortly after it departed Manila. The MV June Aster caught fire approximately 1.2 nautical miles off the coast of Coron, a popular tourist destination in Palawan province.
The ferry, operated by Atienza Shipping Lines, left Port of Baseco in Manila on Tuesday night and was en route to Coron, with an estimated arrival time of 6 p.m. on Wednesday. The fire was reported at approximately 6:45 p.m. local time on Wednesday. The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed the ship was carrying several motorcycles, an electric car, a forklift, and a pick-up van, along with other goods.
According to a survivor named Lerma, who works in construction and was traveling with neighbors to work in Coron, the fire began in the cargo hold following a loud explosion. Passengers had been sleeping on bunk beds as the journey was expected to last over 20 hours. Lerma reported that flames quickly spread, leading to panic and people trampling each other in an attempt to escape.
Authorities reported that two Chilean nationals, a couple in their late 20s or early 30s, were among the 43 individuals rescued from the incident. Lerma and two of his companions are receiving medical attention in Coron for injuries, including bruises and chest pain. Another person from their group was transferred to a larger hospital on the neighboring island of Culion, while two others remain unaccounted for.
Atienza Shipping Lines issued a statement on Thursday expressing profound sadness over the incident and confirming full cooperation with the ongoing investigation.