- At least five people have died and 87 remain missing after a fire broke out aboard a passenger ferry off Palawan Island in the Philippines.
- The vessel, MV June Aster, was carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members when the blaze erupted on Wednesday evening.
- Emergency responders have rescued 42 survivors, comprising 38 passengers and four crew members, despite bad weather and heavy waves.
- The fire was extinguished by Thursday morning, with the cause of the blaze currently unknown as investigations continue.
- Ferry accidents remain a frequent hazard in the Philippine archipelago due to storms, badly maintained vessels and lax safety enforcement.
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