Fifty‑plus passengers on the MV June Aster were trapped as a fire erupted near Coron, Palawan last Wednesday night.
One passenger, construction worker Roland Lerma, recalls “people were trampling me” as he scrambled past burning decks and made a desperate leap into the sea.
Lerma floated on his back for about two hours before rescuers reached the water and pulled him and other survivors aground.
The ship, owned by Atienza Shipping Lines, departed Manila on Tuesday at 20:13 local time and was scheduled to reach Coron by 18:00. The blaze started 1.2 nautical miles off the coast of Maricila.
Five people were confirmed dead and 86 remain missing, making it one of the deadliest maritime incidents in the Philippines. Authorities say the fire has not yet been put out and visible smoke continues to drift from the ferry.
People on board were sleeping on bunk beds after a 20‑hour journey, and the vessel was also carrying motorcycles, an electric car and a forklift. Survivors include two Chilean nationals who were among the 43 rescued.
Families such as that of former commuter Marlon Magbanua are waiting anxiously while search and rescue operations are still ongoing.
