Philippine Ferry Fire Victims May Take Months to Identify, Authorities Warn

Philippine authorities warn that identifying ferry fire victims could take weeks or months due to charred remains and incomplete records.

Editorial Desk

September 13, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Coron, Philippines — Philippine officials warned on Sunday that identifying the 76 victims of a deadly ferry fire could take weeks or months, as forensic teams work to match DNA samples from severely burned bodies.

The M/V June Aster, a 24-year-old roll-on, roll-off ferry, caught fire in waters near Coron, Palawan, following an explosion in its hold. Most of the victims were found aboard the grounded vessel, with only 30 bodies recovered on Saturday and 41 more retrieved on Sunday.

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Coast guard officials said the search for additional remains is ongoing, though some areas like the cargo deck and engine room remain unexplored. Forensic experts are working to identify victims, some of whom were so badly burned that DNA must be extracted from teeth and bones. Meanwhile, 13 people are still missing, including the ship’s captain, amid conflicting passenger records.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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