At least five people have died and 87 remain unaccounted for after a passenger ferry caught fire off the coast of Palawan in the Philippines, authorities said on Thursday.

The M/V June Aster was travelling from Manila to Coron when the fire broke out on Wednesday evening, around 2.2 kilometres offshore near Coron municipality. The vessel had 134 people aboard, including 117 passengers and 17 crew members, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

A total of 42 people have been rescued, including 38 passengers and four crew members. Officials have warned that the number of missing people could change as rescue teams continue searching the surrounding waters.

Fire Erupts Near Coron

The blaze broke out as the June Aster approached its destination in Palawan.

Coast Guard footage showed the ferry engulfed in flames, with emergency responders and local fishermen helping survivors from the water.

The Philippine Coast Guard said its teams responded quickly to the incident, but difficult sea conditions have complicated the search for those still missing.

The vessel was travelling towards Coron, one of Palawan's best-known tourist destinations, when the fire started.

42 People Rescued

Rescue teams have so far brought 42 people to safety.

The rescued group includes 38 passengers and four crew members, according to Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemi Cayabyab.

Five bodies were also recovered and brought ashore.

Authorities are continuing to establish the identities and status of everyone listed on the ferry's manifest, making the current casualty figures provisional.

Cayabyab stressed that the number of people classified as missing could change as search operations progress and officials obtain more information from survivors.

87 People Still Missing

With 42 people rescued and five confirmed dead, authorities currently list 87 people as unaccounted for.

The Coast Guard has cautioned against treating the figure as final because rescue operations remain active.

Officials have also faced difficulties obtaining information from survivors immediately after the incident because many rescued passengers were receiving medical treatment and had not yet been interviewed.

Rescue teams are continuing to search the waters around Coron for people who may have escaped the burning vessel.

Rough Seas Hamper Search

Weather and sea conditions are adding to the challenge for rescuers.

Strong waves and currents have reportedly moved the vessel away from its initial location, making it harder for emergency teams to maintain a concentrated search area.

Coast Guard personnel are working alongside other responders and local fishermen in an effort to locate survivors.

The authorities are also continuing efforts to extinguish remaining flames aboard the ferry.

Ferry Sailed From Manila

Marine tracking data showed that the June Aster had departed from Manila before travelling towards Coron in Palawan.

The ship's manifest listed 117 passengers and 17 crew members, bringing the total number aboard to 134.

The Coast Guard has not yet established what caused the fire.

Investigators are expected to examine the vessel, passenger records and circumstances surrounding the outbreak once the immediate rescue operation is completed.

Coron Tourist Hub

Coron is one of the Philippines' major tourism destinations and attracts visitors from around the world, particularly scuba divers.

The area is known for its clear waters, limestone cliffs and World War II-era Japanese shipwrecks. Its tourism industry depends heavily on maritime transport between islands and coastal communities.

The ferry disaster has therefore occurred close to a major international tourist centre, although there was no immediate indication that tourists were specifically among the victims.

Investigation Underway

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The tragedy has also renewed attention on maritime safety in the Philippines, an archipelago where ferries and other boats are an important part of everyday transport between islands.

Authorities are currently prioritising the search for the 87 people still unaccounted for and the treatment of those rescued.

As the operation continues, officials are expected to release updated casualty figures and further information about the circumstances that caused the June Aster to catch fire.

For now, the Coast Guard has stressed that the numbers remain live and subject to change as rescue teams continue their work.