Philippines Ferry Fire Death Toll Rises to at Least 35, Dozens Still Missing

At least 35 people have died after a fire broke out aboard a passenger ferry off the Philippines' Palawan province, with dozens more still missing as search and rescue efforts continue. The blaze tore through the vessel late Wednesday night as it sailed from the capital, Manila, toward its destination of Coron, and was around 7.4 kilometers off the village of Turda when the fire was reported.

Authorities said many of the recovered bodies were found in the ferry's sleeping area, and the death toll is expected to rise further as 54 people remain unaccounted for. Of those aboard, 43 survivors have so far been rescued. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and the Philippine Coast Guard is continuing search operations in the waters near where the vessel caught fire.