At least five people have died and more than 85 are missing after a fire on a passenger ferry in a busy tourist area in the Philippines. The M/V June Aster caught fire 1.2 nautical miles northeast of the city of Coron around 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, the country’s coast guard said. 0:23 Fire destroys pleasure boat near Deep Cove Previous video Next video Story continues below advertisement So far, 43 people have been rescued, Philippine Coast Guard spokeswoman Commodore Noemie Cayabyab told the Associated Press. Images shared by local authorities show large sections of the ship engulfed in flames and survivors being pulled from the water in rescue boats. Officials were also filmed throwing life jackets to survivors as they guided them to shallower waters. The Philippine Coast Guard also shared several images of black body bags placed in what appeared to be a port. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, authorities wrote in a Facebook update Thursday. Get the latest national news Get the latest Canadian news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you don’t miss any breaking news. Bad weather and large waves posed a challenge to rescue efforts, the Associated Press reported, noting that the ship was moving at a steady pace. The ferry was about four nautical miles (7.4 kilometers) from the village of Turda when it sent a distress signal, but strong currents have since carried it to a distance of 7.68 nautical miles (14.2 kilometers) from Turda. The ferry remained afloat Thursday, Cayabyab said, with smoke still billowing from the charred vessel at noon. The wreckage of the ferry MV June Aster is seen following a fire that broke out aboard the ship in waters off Palawan, Philippines, Sept. 10, 2026. Philippine Coast Guard/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images Cayabyab said authorities were still working to confirm reports that there were two foreigners on board, verifying the names on the manifest and coordinating with local officials and the shipping company on the identities of the fatalities, survivors and those who are still missing. According to the AP, the manifest said there were 134 people on board: 117 passengers and 17 crew. The ship had the capacity to transport 306 passengers and 27 crew members. More on trends More videos Rescuers have tried to board the ship, but thick smoke has made the approach difficult. “Our goal now is to enter the ship,” Cayabyab said. It is not clear what caused the fire or where it started on the ferry, he also noted, explaining that one survivor said it may have originated in the cargo hold. The Philippine Coast Guard is coordinating with the shipping company and maritime authorities for more details, Cayabyab said. Search and rescue efforts were suspended Thursday afternoon local time and “According to the survivor’s testimony, everything happened quickly; within seconds the fire spread.” The Philippine Coast Guard was joined by a military ship, other government ships, volunteers and fishermen in Thursday’s search and rescue operation. The Philippine Coast Guard is also coordinating with coastal villages in case some passengers reach land. Story continues below advertisement The ferry left Manila and was near its destination of Coron in Palawan province when it caught fire. The night trip takes approximately 13 hours. Coron, where the ship was headed, is a popular and desirable tourist destination for its crystal-clear waters, steep cliffs and distinctive rock formations.—with files from the Associated Press © 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.