The death toll from the passenger ferry fire off the western Philippine island of Palawan has risen to at least 35, according to media reports and maritime authorities.

We previously reported that five people were confirmed dead. That figure has now risen significantly as emergency teams continue a major search and rescue operation. Forty-three survivors have been pulled from the sea, including two Chilean nationals, coast guard spokesperson Aileen Ausente previously confirmed.

Rescuers have remained unable to board the burnt vessel, the M/V June Aster, due to thick smoke, intense heat and the risk of explosions. Coast guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab confirmed the ferry was carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew members when the blaze broke out on Wednesday night during a voyage from Baseco in Manila to Coron, Palawan.

Search efforts have been complicated after the drifting hull was carried further out by overnight winds and currents. Teams are deploying multiple search vessels and drift-modelling software to map ocean movements and track where missing passengers may have been carried, with aircraft on standby.

The cause of the fire has not yet been established and remains under investigation. Ferry transport is vital across the Philippine archipelago of more than 7,600 islands, though the country has a long history of maritime accidents often linked to overcrowding, rough seas and lax safety enforcement.

I will continue to follow the search effort and update this report as further details are confirmed by maritime authorities.