Fire on Philippine ferry MV June Aster kills dozens and leaves many missing
A fire broke out on the passenger-cargo ferry MV June Aster on the evening of September 9, 2026, while it was traveling from Manila to Coron in Palawan province, Philippines. At least five people were initially confirmed dead with dozens missing, and the death toll rose significantly over subsequent days as rescuers boarded the vessel. The Philippine Coast Guard led search and rescue operations, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
17
Divergence score
12 outlets covered it, splitting into 8 framing camps across 4 bias groups.
8 camps
4 bias groups
The spectrum · how 12 outlets placed this story
LeftCenterRight
BBC
CNN
CBS News
Al Jazeera
Washington Times
Deutsche Welle
South China Morning Post
Globe and Mail
The Guardian
Le Monde
Reuters
NY Post
Supportive of action
Neutral
Dismissive
Critical
Alarmist
International angle
Widest split · the two outlets furthest apart, and who published first
Furthest apart on this story
CNN
Five dead and more than 80 missing in Philippine ferry fire - CNN
rescue race with explosion detail · neutral
Al Jazeera
Death toll from Philippine ferry fire rises to 76
highest death toll update · negative
First to report
- South China Morning Postfirst
- CNN+12 min
- The Guardian+18 min
- Le Monde+1.6 h
- Reuters+2.5 h
- Globe and Mail+3.0 h
- NY Post+6.5 h
- Deutsche Welle+9.5 h
- BBC+28.4 h
- Al Jazeera+32.4 h
- CBS News+36.3 h
- Washington Times+43.9 h
By each outlet's earliest publish time in this story. Feeds that index slowly can appear later than they printed.
Headlines that changed · the same article, re-listed with a new headline
The Guardian · 2026-09-10 16:29 UTC
Deadly Philippines ferry fire leaves scores of people missing
The split, in one line
Early wire reports led with five dead, more than 80 missing; later outlets updated to 35 dead then 76 dead as bodies were recovered, while Deutsche Welle covered an entirely different ship fire in China.
How each outlet covered it
Broad agreement on what happened
Outlets across the spectrum land in roughly the same place: the shared language is highlighted.
17LOW DIVERGENCE
THE RIGHT
“Philippine ferry fire death toll climbs to 35 as dozens remain missing”WT Washington Times RIGHT
DOWN THE MIDDLE
“Philippine rescuers board ferry 40 hours after blaze began” · BBC, Al Jazeera, Deutsche Welle, South China Morning Post, Globe and Mail, Le Monde, Reuters
+Hide the full sourcingSee how all 12 outlets put it
LEFT2
CNNCNN Five dead and more than 80 missing in Philippine ferry fire - CNN 45d ago GThe Guardian Deadly Philippines ferry fire triggers search for scores of missing 47d ago LEFT-CENTER1
CBSCBS News Death toll in Philippine ferry fire soars as 30 more bodies are recovered - CBS News 46d ago RIGHT2
WTWashington Times Philippine ferry fire death toll climbs to 35 as dozens remain missing 46d ago NYPNY Post Fire on passenger ferry in Philippines leaves dozens missing and at least 5 dead 47d ago INTERNATIONAL6
BBCBBC Philippine rescuers board ferry 40 hours after blaze began 46d ago AJAl Jazeera Death toll from Philippine ferry fire rises to 76 45d ago DWDeutsche Welle China: Cargo ship fire kills at least 25 47d ago SCSouth China Morning Post Fire engulfs Philippine ferry, killing 5 and leaving 87 missing 47d ago GMGlobe and Mail At least five dead, more than 80 missing after Philippine ferry fire 47d ago LMLe Monde Ferry fire in the Philippines kills at least five, with dozens missing 47d ago 9 tracked claims across 12 outlets
Fact ledger
All9Claimed3Corroborated6
2/12
Claimed
A survivor reported hearing a loud explosion from the cargo hold before the fire spread
Corroborated
Disputed
8 more tracked claimsSign up free to see the full ledger