Philippines Ferry Fire Kills Five, Eighty-Six Passengers Remain Missing Off Palawan

A passenger ferry travelling from Coron to San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, caught fire off the coast of Palawan, leading to the confirmed deaths of five individuals. Eighty-six passengers and crew members remain missing following the incident.

Survivor Accounts Detail Panic

One survivor recounted the panic onboard, stating, "People were trampling me, and I could barely breathe." The individual, who wished to remain anonymous, described a struggle to locate life jackets as the fire rapidly engulfed sections of the vessel.

Reports indicate that the ferry, the M/V Lady Mary Joy 3, was carrying at least 120 people when the fire broke out. The Philippine Coast Guard initiated a search and rescue operation, with local fishermen also assisting in the recovery of survivors from the water.

Authorities have not yet released details regarding the cause of the fire. Maritime incidents are not uncommon in the Philippines, an archipelago nation heavily reliant on ferry transport, where safety regulations are frequently criticised for lax enforcement.