At least five people have died and 87 are missing after a passenger ferry caught fire off the coast of Palawan in the Philippines, authorities said.
Another 42 people were rescued after the MV June Aster caught fire about two kilometres off the coast while travelling from Manila to Coron on Wednesday evening. Authorities said 134 people were believed to have been on board.
Rescue operations involving the coastguard, fire service and other vessels are continuing. Authorities have also launched an investigation into the cause of the fire and are examining possible safety breaches, including whether the vessel was overloaded and whether all passengers had life jackets.
The figures remain subject to change as rescue efforts continue.
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