Philippine Coast Guard personnel continue search-and-rescue operations for passengers of the fire-stricken MV June Aster as authorities expand the search to coastal areas of Mindoro, with 13 people still unaccounted for. Photo courtesy: PCG.
Thirteen people remained missing after the deadly MV June Aster fire as authorities expanded efforts to find them beyond Palawan and toward the shores of Mindoro.
The Philippine Coast Guard said Sunday that communities across Mindoro had been brought into the search amid concerns that currents in the waters between the islands could have carried survivors or victims away from the vessel’s location off Coron.
Fishermen, barangay officials and local disaster response personnel were asked to watch coastal areas and immediately report possible sightings to authorities.
The expanded operation came after the death toll rose to 76 following the recovery of 41 more bodies from the burned vessel on Saturday night. Forty-three people had been confirmed alive.
Questions over the number of people aboard have also formed part of the continuing investigation. Coast Guard officials earlier said two people included in the passenger manifest had not boarded the vessel, requiring authorities to reconcile the official list with survivors, fatalities and those still missing.
The fire broke out on Sept. 9 while the MV June Aster was sailing in waters off Coron. Thick smoke initially prevented responders from safely entering parts of the vessel, complicating efforts to search for people who might have been trapped inside.
The Coast Guard has said the vessel had undergone a safety inspection in March and was certified to carry substantially more passengers and crew than were recorded aboard during the ill-fated voyage. Investigators are still determining what started the fire and examining the circumstances surrounding the emergency response.
Authorities have also cautioned against spreading unconfirmed reports about survivors or fatalities as families wait for identification and search results, urging anyone with relevant information to relay it directly to the Coast Guard or local officials.