Smoke Hampers Search for 84 Missing After Philippines Ferry Fire

Rescue efforts were hampered Friday by thick smoke and the badly damaged condition of a ferry drifting in Philippine waters after a fire killed at least five people and left 84 missing.

The MV June Aster, which was listing heavily and still emitting smoke, appeared to have drifted closer to shore overnight. Rescuers were unable to enter the vessel Thursday because of the intense heat and smoke, forcing them to suspend the operation overnight.

Coast Guard spokeswoman Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said authorities were assessing the conditions and planned to enter the ferry if it was safe to do so.

The ferry had departed from Manila and was about 4 nautical miles (7.4 kilometers) from the village of Turda, near its destination of Coron in Palawan province, when the fire was reported Wednesday evening.

Coast guard personnel and other vessels rescued 43 people, including some who were pulled from the dark waters as the ferry burned.

Survivor Arnulfo Nokki Villanueva told News5 that the fire spread rapidly. He said he fell to the floor and suffered burns to his back. He tried to obtain a life jacket but was unable to do so because panicked passengers were pushing and stepping over one another. He eventually escaped by jumping through a window.

The coast guard, government agencies, private volunteers and fishermen have been searching the surrounding waters. Coastal patrols have also been checking whether any missing passengers may have reached shore.

No additional survivors or bodies had been found as of Friday, according to authorities.

The ferry's manifest listed 134 people on board, including 117 passengers and 17 crew members. The 53-meter (174-foot) vessel had a capacity of 306 passengers and 27 crew members.

Authorities are expected to intensify the search once conditions aboard the vessel improve and rescuers can safely enter the ferry.

Source: AP