Ferry fire kills at least five people off Philippine island

A ferry caught fire near Palawan island in the Philippines on 10 September 2026, killing at least five people. The ship was carrying 134 passengers and crew in total. Rescue teams have saved 42 people so far, including 38 passengers and four crew members. However, 87 people are still missing, according to the coast guard. Search and rescue operations are continuing in the area. Officials have warned that the number of casualties could rise as the search goes on. Palawan is a well-known tourist destination in the western Philippines. Ferry accidents have been a repeated safety problem in Philippine waters, where difficult maritime conditions make sea travel dangerous.