Inferno at Sea: Passenger Ferry Fire off Palawan Leaves 5 Dead, 86 Missing

CORON, Philippines — A search-and-rescue operation is underway off the coast of Palawan after a passenger ferry caught fire early on Thursday morning, September 10, 2026 leaving at least five people confirmed dead and 86 others unaccounted for, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The vessel, carrying 134 passengers and crew members, was traveling near the popular tourist hub of Coron when the blaze erupted in the engine room and rapidly swept through the upper decks.

Thick black smoke engulfed the ferry shortly after 6:00 a.m. local time, triggering panic among passengers. Witness accounts indicate that several individuals leaped directly into the ocean to escape the flames and heat before emergency crews arrived at the scene.

Local fishing vessels and Philippine Coast Guard ships rushed to the location after receiving distress signals. Rescuers managed to pull 43 survivors from the water and damaged life rafts, transporting them to nearby medical facilities in Coron for treatment related to smoke inhalation, severe burns, and trauma.

Air and sea units—including helicopters, patrol boats, and local civilian vessels—are currently scanning a wide radius around the site of the disaster to locate the 86 missing individuals. Strong sea currents in the area have complicated rescue efforts, forcing teams to expand the search perimeter.

Coast Guard officials confirmed that five bodies have been recovered so far, though identification procedures are still ongoing.

The cause of the fire remains unknown. Maritime authorities have announced an official inquiry to inspect the ship's maintenance records, safety equipment, and emergency preparedness standards. Local government officials in Palawan have established emergency response centers to assist survivors and support families waiting for news regarding the missing passengers.

The disaster underscores long-standing safety vulnerabilities within inter-island maritime transport in the Philippine archipelago. With sea travel serving as a vital lifeline for commerce and tourism between provinces like Palawan, local transportation routes frequently rely on aging vessels operating under challenging sea conditions. Following the tragic blaze, domestic maritime advocacy groups and regional lawmakers are calling for immediate safety audits across all inter-island passenger fleets, urging stricter enforcement of capacity limits, engine room safety compliance, and regular life-saving equipment drills.