The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has revised the number of people still unaccounted for after the fire aboard the passenger roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) cargo vessel MV June Aster off Coron, Palawan, to 84 from the previously reported 86.
PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said Friday that the figure was adjusted after two people listed on the vessel’s manifest confirmed that they did not board the ship before it departed.
Cayabyab said the two individuals were included in the ticket manifest but were not among those who boarded the vessel.
The incident has so far left 43 confirmed survivors and five reported fatalities.
Of the survivors, 39 remained confined in various hospitals as of Thursday night, while others had already been discharged.
Cayabyab said Atienza Interisland Ferries, the vessel’s shipping company, has been providing assistance to survivors and crew members as well as the families of those who died.
The PCG, meanwhile, continues firefighting operations aboard the vessel and has yet to fully assess its condition because of the persistent smoke.
An attempt to deploy a helicopter for an aerial assessment was canceled Thursday because of unfavorable weather, although the aircraft remains on standby for deployment.
Cayabyab said survivors reported that the fire spread rapidly after a loud explosion was heard near the cargo hold.
Strong winds may have further intensified the fire, leaving some passengers with little time to retrieve their life jackets before jumping into the water.
The PCG is investigating whether all passengers were properly equipped with life jackets and whether the vessel’s crew and captain correctly implemented emergency procedures and provided passengers with adequate instructions after the fire broke out.
Cayabyab said the number of missing people and fatalities indicates that the vessel’s crew and captain may have liability, although the extent of their responsibility will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation.
The PCG is also asking families of people still unaccounted for to report to its Emergency Operations Center in Coron so authorities can validate the list of missing against the vessel’s manifest.
PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan has ordered the deployment of all available resources for the search, including two PCG vessels, one of its largest ships, a helicopter and medical personnel.
The agency is also monitoring the waters for possible signs of an oil sheen.
Cayabyab said the PCG would continue the search and rescue operation with other government agencies.
The MV June Aster caught fire Wednesday evening while traveling from Batangas to Coron. The PCG said it deployed its assets, nearby vessels and local fisherfolk within minutes after receiving the report of the incident.
Photo courtesy of PCG
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