A massive fire broke out on a luxury passenger ship in the Philippines, killing five people and leaving more than 80 missing, authorities said. Search operations are under way in the surrounding waters.
The incident involved the MV June Aster, which was travelling from the capital Manila to Coron in the tourist province of Palawan. The vessel was carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members, a total of 134 people.
The fire reportedly erupted suddenly while the ship was in the middle of the sea and spread to other sections. Several people jumped into the water in an attempt to escape the flames.
While some survivors have been rescued, over 80 people remain unaccounted for, and the Philippine Navy is continuing the search. A survivor also reported hearing a loud explosion from the lower deck where vehicles were parked, as investigators work to determine the exact cause of the fire.
