At least 85 people were rescued after a ferry caught fire off the Philippines, as officials intensified their search on Saturday for two missing passengers. Local authorities confirmed this was the latest update in what has become a harrowing incident for those aboard the vessel earlier this week.
The Philippine Coast Guard stated this morning that the MV Asia Philippines, carrying 87 people, sustained a blaze one nautical mile southwest of Batangas port while preparing to dock on Friday night. Two passengers remain unaccounted for, with officials continuing to widen the search as air and sea assets comb the area for any signs of life or debris.
Authorities emphasized that while search and rescue operations proceed, they are also exploring the possibility that some individuals may have been recovered but not properly documented, due to issues with the passenger manifest during the chaotic moments of the incident. The point was raised that a portion of those on board could have been counted more than once, complicating initial tallies and documentation.
Officials noted that many passengers were rescued promptly and returned home before documentation issues could be resolved, or because their names appeared twice on the registration lists. The situation remains under review as investigators work to confirm everyone on board and ensure that records accurately reflect the events and the people involved.
Starlite Ferries operates the vessel, which caught fire as it approached Batangas port the previous day. As flames spread rapidly in strong winds, a large number of passengers leapt into the water to escape the blaze, creating a tense and dangerous moment for all involved. Rescue crews acted quickly, and the coordinated response helped prevent a wider loss of life despite the challenging conditions at sea.
According to the coast guard’s update, in addition to the confirmed casualties, at least one person sustained injuries. A 43-year-old woman was taken to a hospital, though details about her current health status have not been released publicly. The incident has prompted medical and emergency teams to remain on standby in the area as the investigation continues.
Initial assessments suggest that all 16 vehicle loads on board the vessel remained undamaged during the fire, and authorities reported no signs of an oil spill in the vicinity. The ship’s fuel tank capacity, around 16,000 liters of diesel, was noted as a factor in the incident, though investigators have not yet drawn definitive conclusions about its role or impact on the fire’s spread.
The blaze was brought under control roughly three hours after it began, and investigators are still trying to determine its exact causes. A joint team, including the Coast Guard, Fire Protection Bureau, Philippines National Police, and Special Operations Unit, has been deployed to conduct a thorough examination of the incident and to recover any evidence that could explain what happened and why the fire broke out on the vessel.
Marine safety experts note that accidents of this kind are not uncommon in the Philippine archipelago, where storms and challenging sailing conditions, along with uneven safety regulations in some remote provinces, can contribute to elevated risk levels. Officials stressed the importance of rigorous safety protocols and inspections across fleets serving busy coastal routes to prevent similar disasters in the future.
Earlier in the week, the country faced the aftermath of storm Ma On, which brought destructive winds reaching up to 180 kilometers per hour as it made landfall. The storm prompted the suspension of classes and other services across large parts of the nation, compounding the difficulties faced by communities already reeling from the incident at sea. The combined weather and maritime safety concerns have underscored the ongoing need for robust emergency response systems and clear, accurate reporting during such events.