The death toll from a fire aboard the ferry MV June Aster in the Philippines has risen to 35 after the coast guard recovered 30 bodies from the wreckage, with more than 50 people still unaccounted for. The blaze broke out on Wednesday as the vessel neared the tourist destination of Coron, having departed from Manila, and matters because it stands as one of the country's deadliest recent maritime disasters, prompting an investigation into safety and emergency procedures.

More than 130 people, comprising 117 passengers and 17 crew, were aboard during the 22-hour journey; 43 were rescued, many requiring hospital treatment. Coast guard officials said most bodies were found in the sleeping quarters, and crews could not safely board the vessel until Friday because of toxic fumes and residual heat. Preliminary survivor accounts suggest the fire started in the cargo hold and that some passengers lacked life vests; investigators are examining the 2002-built ferry's cargo manifest, loading practices and crew response, despite it having passed a safety inspection in March. The operator, Atienza Interisland Ferries, said it was cooperating fully with the inquiry.