MANILA: Five ‌people died and more than 80 are missing after a ferry caught fire off Palawan ​island in the western Philippines ​on Wednesday night, the Philippine Coast Guard said ⁠on Thursday.

Forty-three people were rescued on ​Wednesday night after the fire broke out ​aboard the MV June Aster in waters off Coron, Palawan, the PCG said.

Footage released by the ​Coast Guard showed flames engulfing parts ​of the vessel and responders placing bodies in ‌body ⁠bags.

Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab told DZXL radio that the vessel’s manifest listed 117 passengers and 17 crew members.

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Based ​on the ​reported number ⁠of survivors and fatalities, more than 80 people were unaccounted ​for, and Cayabyab said the ​figures ⁠may change as the rescue operation continues.

The ferry had departed from Baseco in Manila ⁠and ​was bound for Coron, ​she said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.