MANILA, Philippines — Chlorine mixed with asphalt caused the fire that engulfed the MV June Aster, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported on Friday.
In a Malacanang press briefing, Fire Chief Supt. Wilberto Rico Neil Ang Kwan Tiu, officer-in-charge of the BFP, said an excessive amount of chlorine had entered the vessel and mixed with asphalt.
The MV June Aster caught fire on Sept. 9, 2026 while sailing toward Coron, Palawan, from Manila, leaving 77 people dead and 8 missing.
