Fire on Philippines ferry off Coron island kills dozens, many missing

Firefighters continued to search for survivors amid the smoking wreckage of a ferry that capsized off the coast of Coron Island in the Philippines. The vessel, which was operating in the region’s busy maritime corridor, caught fire and sank, prompting an emergency response from local rescue teams.

Authorities reported that dozens of passengers have been confirmed dead while more than 40 individuals were rescued and taken to medical facilities for treatment. Rescue crews combed the debris field for additional victims, employing both watercraft and aerial support to locate any remaining survivors.

The incident underscores ongoing safety concerns for passenger ferries in the archipelago, and officials have pledged a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the vessel’s overload. Further updates are expected as recovery efforts progress.