Manila: The Philippine Coast Guard announced that 30 bodies have been recovered from the burned remains of a passenger ferry, MV June Aster, which caught fire off the western Philippine province of Palawan. The incident occurred earlier this week, leaving 54 people still unaccounted for.

According to Anadolu Agency, the ferry was initially reported to be carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members on its journey from Manila to Coron in Palawan. The fire broke out on Wednesday night, and five fatalities were confirmed shortly after the incident. Rescue operations successfully saved 43 passengers and crew members.

The Philippine Coast Guard revised the list of potentially missing individuals from 86 to 84, as two people initially listed on the manifest confirmed they had not boarded the ferry. Authorities conducted a thorough safety assessment after extinguishing the fire, which led to the recovery of 30 bodies aboard the vessel.