Families begin bringing home remains of MV June Aster fire victims

Families of victims of the MV June Aster fire bring home their remains, October 18, 2026. Handout/Philippine Coast GuardCORON, Palawan — Emotional scenes unfolded at Coron port as sealed boxes containing the remains of victims identified in the deadly fire aboard the passenger vessel MV June Aster were loaded onto ships for transport to their hometowns, more than a month after the tragedy. 

Families traveled to Coron to claim the remains of their loved ones after DNA testing conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Forensic Group confirmed their identities.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said 38 bodies initially buried at the temporary burial site at San Nicolas Public Cemetery were exhumed, with families beginning to bring them home for proper burial. 

According to PCG records, the Coron local government had released 26 bodies to their respective families. Of these, two were for burial in Coron, four in Busuanga, one in Culion, two in Linapacan, seven in Puerto Princesa City and 10 in El Nido.

The 10 bodies bound for El Nido were transported aboard the PCG vessel BRP Suluan, which docked at San Fernando port carrying the remains, along with 20 family members and Coast Guard personnel. 

Another 11 bodies were scheduled for transport on Sunday, with the vessel expected to arrive in Manila on Monday.

One body remained at the 5R Funeral Home in Coron. 

Of the 71 bodies initially buried at the temporary burial site, 67 have now been identified, authorities said.

The MV June Aster caught fire on Sept. 9, 2026, killing 77 people. Of the fatalities, 71 were so severely burned that they could not be immediately identified. 

Eight other people who were aboard the vessel remain missing.