The death toll due to the fire aboard MV June Aster climbed to 76 while 13 remain missing, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported Monday.

More bodies were recovered after the fire was finally extinguished on Friday. Fire, which was reported to have started in the cargo section, broke out in the ferry on Sept 9 as the vessel left Manila for Coron.

"We still have 13 missing," PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said Monday.

Cayabyab said as of Monday, the response teams have searched the bridge, crew accommodation, economy passenger accommodation, and air-conditioned passenger accommodation areas of the vessel.

“These areas have been 100 percent penetrated by our response teams. A secondary sweep will be conducted to ensure the recovery of any remaining evidence and other materials relevant to the ongoing investigation,” she said.

Meanwhile, approximately 65 percent of the cargo hold has been penetrated, with operations continuing in the remaining sections.

Cayabyab also mentioned that "since Saturday, September 12, 2026, joint authorities have also been siphoning water from the vessel’s engine room. Oily water mixtures removed from the engine room have so far been transferred into 13 drums for proper handling."

“We have also sent a demand letter to the shipping company, directing it to immediately engage a competent salvor to undertake further siphoning operations and assess the structural integrity and condition of MV June Aster,” she added.

Cayabyab said "the Coast Guard continues to conduct its maritime safety investigation and maritime crime investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine possible liabilities." Robina Asido/PHS