Death toll in Philippine ferry fire soars as 30 more bodies are recovered

Updated on: September 11, 2026 / 10:23 AM EDT / CBS/AP

The death toll from a fire on a passenger ferry in the Philippines has risen to 35, as more bodies were recovered Friday from the burned wreck, with 54 still missing.

There were 43 survivors from the fire that erupted on Wednesday night. Images provided by the coast guard showed the gutted interior of the ship and what appeared to be charred remains, ashes and burnt metal, including a car.

Rescuers on Thursday struggled to get inside the vessel because of the heat and smoke, slowing efforts to search for passengers who may have been trapped.

"We have 30 (bodies) on board our (rescue) boat now that will arrive tomorrow," coast guard spokeswoman Commodore Noemie Cayabyab told AFP, explaining that it was the capacity of the patrol boat being used to transfer them.

Asked if bodies still remained aboard the ferry, she replied: "Yes, there are more."

The ferry sailed from the capital, Manila, and was around 4.5 miles off the village of Turda near its destination of Coron in Palawan province when the fire was reported. The cause of the fire has not been determined.

Photos released by…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/world/