A fire broke out on the M/V June Aster on Wednesday evening while the ferry was en route to a popular tourist site. The blaze, which began in the cargo hold, tore through the vessel in seconds, causing the ship to run aground near the resort town of Coron, Palawan.
On Saturday morning, tents were set up at a port to receive the bodies of the deceased. While thirty charred bodies initially arrived for identification, the Philippine Coast Guard has since reported that 41 more bodies have been recovered. At least 43 people survived the incident, but officials warn the death toll will grow, with 13 people still missing.
Rescuers continue to search for victims days after the fire. The recovered remains are being turned over to police forensic investigators for proper disposition and identification before local authorities inform family members.