MARINA investigates Coron ship fire 

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) is already looking into the fire incident on a vessel in Coron, Palawan that killed five individuals.

MARINA said that an investigation team was already deployed and assured assistance to the 43 survivors.

"The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has immediately deployed an investigation team and mobilized teams from the MARINA Regional Office IV to actively coordinate with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and provide assistance to the survivors following the fire incident involving passenger vessel MV 'June Aster' in the vicinity of Barangay Marcilla, Coron, Palawan, on 9 September 2026," the agency said.

"MARINA’s Enforcement Service (ES) has also commenced a Marine Safety Investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident," it added.

MARINA added that it will help continue to provide updates once verified information is available.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the fire on MV June Aster started in the cargo hold based on the initial account of one of the survivors.

The surviving crew member told authorities that the fire started small.

But authorities have yet to obtain the complete details of how the fire started, as the surviving crew member interviewed by the PCG has yet to provide a full account of the incident. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/LDF, GMA News