OMM Redaksiyası
The death toll from a fire aboard the "MV June Aster" ferry in the Philippines has risen to 76. Rescuers discovered the burned remains of another 41 people on Saturday.
The fate of 13 people remains unknown. The ferry caught fire as it approached Coron after a voyage lasting more than 20 hours. More than 130 passengers were aboard.
Identification of the victims began after 30 bodies recovered on Friday were brought to the port of Coron. Temporary tents have been set up at the port for forensic experts.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the burned remains were found in the vessel's economy-class passenger area. Firefighters were able to enter the ferry for the first time one day after the blaze was extinguished.
Coast Guard official Geronimo Tuvilla said the top priorities were identifying the victims and investigating the cause of the fire. The Maritime Industry Authority said survivors reported hearing two explosions inside the vessel before the fire started.
One surviving passenger told GMA News that a small amount of smoke initially appeared before flames spread across the ferry within seconds.
Questions also remain about the fate of the vessel's captain. Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said authorities had received information that the captain was alive, but his name was not included on the list of 43 confirmed survivors.
The Philippines is an archipelago of more than 7,600 islands, and millions of people use ferries and small boats to travel between provinces and islands. The latest incident is the most recent in a series of deadly maritime accidents in the country.
