Coast guard searches for survivors as Philippine ferry catches fire

Members of the Philippine Coast Guard searched the sea for survivors on Wednesday night as a ferry burned off the coast of Palawan island.

The MV June Aster caught fire at around 6:45 p.m. local time as it approached the tourist destination of Coron, with 117 passengers and 17 crew members on board.

Video released by the coast guard showed the vessel engulfed in flames as rescue teams pulled people from the water and brought them aboard rescue boats.

Five people died and 43 were rescued, according to the coast guard. The search continued on Thursday for those still missing.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Preliminary interviews with survivors suggest the blaze may have started in the ferry’s cargo hold.

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