Five Dead, More Than 80 Missing After Ferry Fire In Philippines

Five Dead, More Than 80 Missing After Ferry Fire In Philippines

At least five people have died and more than 80 others are missing after a ferry caught fire off Palawan island in the western Philippines on Wednesday night, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. The incident triggered a major search-and-rescue operation as authorities worked to locate passengers and crew members who remain unaccounted for. The ferry caught fire while operating off Palawan, with the blaze prompting passengers to flee the vessel as emergency responders moved in to assist those on board. The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed the deaths and said more than 80 people were still missing following the incident. Rescue teams have been deployed to search the surrounding waters for missing passengers. Authorities are continuing efforts to establish the full number of people who were aboard the ferry and determine the circumstances that led to the fire. The cause of the fire has not been fully established, while officials are expected to investigate the incident and assess the vessel’s safety and operational conditions. The tragedy adds to concerns over maritime safety in the Philippines, an archipelago where ferries remain an important means of transportation between islands.