Fire hits passenger ship with over 100 on board in waters off Coron

A fire engulfed a passenger ship carrying more than 100 passengers in waters off Coron, Palawan, on Wednesday night.

According to a report on "State of the Nation," MV June Aster was engulfed by flames at 7 p.m.

The ship had more than 100 passengers and 17 crew members.

The PCG said 28 persons have been rescued.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing.

According to the PCG, the incident happened at the vicinity waters approximately 1.2 nautical miles northeast of Barangay Marcilla in Coron.

The PCG coordinated with Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Turda, CGSS Tara, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Coron, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) Coron, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Coron, and shipping lines with vessels berthed at the Port of Coron to facilitate immediate rescue and assistance.

PCG personnel from the Maritime Environmental Protection Unit (MEPU) Northeastern Palawan and Coast Guard Special Operations Group (SOG) were deployed to the incident area to conduct rescue and provide assistance to those onboard.

BRP Suluan (MRRV-4406) departed the Port of San Fernando, El Nido, and proceeded to the incident location to provide additional assistance.

The PCG continues to monitor the situation and is coordinating with concerned agencies to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew members. —NB, GMA News