Fire on passenger ferry in Philippines leaves dozens missing and at least 5 dead

Dozens of people are missing after a fire burned on a passenger ferry off the western PhilippinesByTERESA CEROJANO Associated PressSeptember 9, 2026, 9:35 PMMANILA, Philippines -- A fire burned overnight on a passenger ferry off the western Philippines, leaving dozens of people missing Thursday and killing at least five.So far, 43 people have been rescued, coast guard spokeswoman Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said. The ferry MV June Aster was afloat but listing after the fire, which started Wednesday evening, was put out. Tendrils of smoke still wafted over the charred vessel by midday.“We are continuing search and rescue operations,” she said, with a coast guard ship and high-speed response boats joined by a military vessel and other government boats, private volunteers and fishermen.The coast guard made a radio broadcast to ships nearby to be on the lookout for passengers of the ferry. It has also coordinated with coastal villages in case some passengers drifted to the shore.Images of the nighttime rescue efforts showed coast guard personnel tossed life jackets to survivors as the ferry burned in the background. Passengers were helped into smaller boats taking them to shallow water, ...