Death toll from Philippines ferry fire rises to 35, as officials warn toll will grow

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A ferry fire off the Philippines near Coron, Palawan has caused at least 35 confirmed deaths, with expectations of the toll rising. The fire originated in the ferry's cargo hold, spreading rapidly and leading to a major rescue and recovery operation.

The deadly fire had begun in the ferry’s cargo hold, then tore through the ship within seconds The bodies of passengers killed in a ferry fire off the Philippines arrived at a port near the resort town of Coron, Palawan, on Saturday morning, as the country’s coast guard warned the death toll of 35 would grow. Tents were being set up to receive 30 bodies brought from the M/V June Aster, which ran aground near the tourist hotspot after a fire erupted on Wednesday evening and tore through the vessel “in seconds”. Continue reading...