SEARCH and recovery operations are continuing in the waters off Coron, Palawan, following a tragic fire aboard the passenger vessel MV June Aster.
Joint authorities officially declared the fire extinguished at approximately 10:15 AM on September 11, 2026, allowing assessment teams to board the ship and begin the painstaking task of inspecting the damage and recovering victims.
Initial inspections by response teams focused on the economy accommodation section, where charred remains were first observed.
According to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab, retrieval operations began swiftly using the multi-role response vessel BRP Cape Engaño (MRRV-4411).
While initial reports confirmed 30 bodies recovered from the vessel, subsequent updates raised the casualty count to 35, and later to 76 after an additional 41 remains were retrieved from the burned-out hull.
The recovered remains are being transported via BRP Cape Engaño to the Port of Borac in Coron for proper forensic identification and processing by the Philippine National Police Strategic Operations and Crime Office (PNP-SOCO).
The vessel carrying the batch of 41 remains arrived at the port at 1:20 PM on September 13.
Based on the vessel’s official manifest of 134 passengers, authorities report that 43 individuals survived the incident, 13 remain unaccounted for, and two passengers confirmed they did not board the vessel.
Search teams—working alongside the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, coastal barangays, and local fishermen—continue active search operations for the missing.
Additionally, officials confirmed the retrieval of a dog from the vessel.
PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan extended his deepest sympathies to the bereaved families, emphasizing that operations are being conducted with the utmost respect.
Precautionary measures, including oil spill containment booms, have been deployed around the vessel, though no signs of oil sheen have been detected.
Investigations into the cause of the fire remain ongoing.
