Ferry fire near Palawan kills several, leaves dozens missing

A video released by the Philippine Coast Guard shows a ferry ablaze off the coast of Palawan, with flames licking the vessel’s superstructure as it drifts near the island’s western shoreline. The incident, which occurred on Thursday afternoon, was captured by a Coast Guard patrol boat that responded after receiving distress calls from the ferry’s crew.

Authorities dispatched additional rescue units and firefighting teams to contain the blaze and evacuate passengers. Preliminary statements from the Coast Guard indicated that the fire’s origin was still under investigation, and that no fatalities had been confirmed at the time of the report. The incident underscores ongoing safety concerns for inter‑island transport in the Philippines, prompting officials to review emergency protocols for maritime vessels operating in the region.