Search resumes for 80 missing in popular Philippines tourist spot

The search for more than 80 people missing in the Philippines has resumed, but thick smoke has hampered rescue workers boarding the vessel.More than 130 people were believed to be on board a ferry on Wednesday evening, local time, when fire broke out, quickly engulfing the boat in flames.Richard Marceliano, one of the survivors, told GMA News that he saw a small amount of smoke that turned into a raging fire and spread through ​the ‌ferry within seconds. He said he and other passengers spent nearly two hours floating in the sea before they were rescued.The coast ⁠guard has deployed five vessels and ‌divers to the area, while army ‌rescue boats, fishermen and private resort owners continued to assist in the search that ‌began on Wednesday night. At least 43 people have been rescued so far, according to the agency.Coast guard spokeswoman Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said the number of missing stood at 84, after two people on the passenger list did not end up boarding the vessel.The vessel was also carrying goods, an electric vehicle, a pick-up truck and motorcycles.Ferry MV June Aster after it caught fire off Palawan province. (Philippine Coast Guard)The vessel, MV June Aster, had departed the capital of Manila just after 8pm local time and was expected to reach its destination of Coron around 6pm local time the next day.Commodore Cayabyab said the coast guard received a distress call from the ferry's operator around 6:45pm local time near Coron, in the Palawan province, and launched a response within five minutes.The burnt-out ferry is grounded near the town, known for its diving sites and island-hopping attractions.Commodore Cayabyab said thick smoke had delayed rescue personnel from boarding the 53-metre boat to assess what happened."Our objective now is to enter the ship, to check the situation so we can assess the situation," she said on Thursday night.It is still unclear what caused the blaze. A statement from ​the Maritime Industry ⁠Authority (MARINA), citing survivor accounts, said two successive explosions were heard from within the ship, which triggered the fire.Commodore Cayabyab said one survivor believed it may have begun in the cargo hold."Everything happened in seconds," she said in a radio interview Friday."From the time that they heard the loud explosion, the appearance of smoke, and then fire, it spread very quickly," she said of survivors' accounts, adding that those who made it off the ship had not even had time to put on life jackets."Most of the people we rescued were those who had been swimming away from the vessel."Commodore Cayabyab said authorities were also still trying to confirm reports that foreigners were on board.The ferry has run aground off the coast of Coron and is still smouldering from the fire that began on September 9. (AP: Philippine Coast Guard)A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was in contact with Philippine authorities to determine if any Australians were on board.Commodore Cayabyab said, according to the vessel's records, it was built in 2002 and was certified to carry 306 passengers and 33 crew.She said the vessel underwent a compliance inspection in March, which included checking that the correct number of life jackets were on board.A spokesperson from the company that owns the ferry, Atienza Interisland Ferries Inc, said it was fully cooperating with the investigation."We are working around the clock and have mobilised all available resources to manage this crisis," the company said in a statement."Our hearts remain with the affected families, and we will not rest until all individuals are accounted for."Reuters/AP/ABC/AFP