CORON, Philippines (AP) — Rescuers recovered more bodies from a passenger ferry that was destroyed by fire in the Philippines, raising the death toll to 76. Authorities said 13 people remained missing, while 43 others survived the disaster.

The ferry was carrying 132 people when the fire broke out Wednesday night as the vessel was sailing from Manila toward Coron, a popular destination in southwestern Palawan province. The ship was about 39 kilometers (24 miles) from Coron when flames erupted.

Authorities have not yet determined what caused the fire. Coast guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said a survivor reported hearing an explosion and seeing smoke and flames spread rapidly. Strong winds may have contributed to the speed at which the fire engulfed the vessel.

The survivor also said the fire may have started in the ferry’s cargo hold, according to officials. Investigators have not confirmed that account.

In Coron, tents were set up at the Port of Borac as authorities prepared to receive and identify the recovered bodies. Body bags were transported from the burned ferry to the port aboard another vessel.

Cayabyab said authorities were also searching for the ferry’s captain. The captain reportedly survived the fire but was not included on the official list of survivors.

A multiagency investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the disaster, including whether the captain and crew could face liability, Cayabyab said.

Survivors told investigators that the fire spread so quickly that passengers had little time to react or put on life jackets. Cayabyab said a tarpaulin covering open sections of the vessel to protect passengers from rain could have contributed to the situation, although investigators have not determined whether it trapped anyone inside.

Investigators will also determine whether required emergency procedures were followed. That includes whether an alarm was sounded, whether passengers were given adequate warnings and instructions, and whether crew members assisted passengers during the evacuation.

Ferries are a major form of transportation across the Philippines, an archipelago where maritime travel is essential for many communities. The country has experienced numerous deadly sea accidents over the years, with authorities facing recurring concerns over storms, vessel maintenance, overcrowding and enforcement of safety regulations, particularly in remote areas.

One of the country’s worst maritime disasters occurred in 1987, when the ferry Dona Paz sank after colliding with an oil tanker in the central Philippines. More than 4,300 people died in what is considered the world’s deadliest peacetime maritime disaster.

SOURCE: Associated Press (AP), Aaron Favila, Joeal Calupitan and Teresa Cerojano, September 24, 2026.