Philippine ferry fire deaths rise to 76

Philippine ferry fire deaths rise to 76

Authorities in the Philippines say the death toll from a ferry fire that occurred on Wednesday has risen to 76.

The country's Coast Guard announced on Saturday that search and rescue operations led to the discovery of more bodies.

The ferry, with more than 130 passengers and crew members on board, had left the Philippine capital of Manila and was navigating off the resort island of Coron in the western province of Palawan when it caught fire.

First responders rescued 43 people, but 13 remain unaccounted for.

The cause of the fire has not been determined. The Associated Press reported on Saturday that a Coast Guard spokesperson quoted a survivor as saying that the fire started immediately after a blast was heard. The survivor said smoke and fire spread quickly, fanned by winds.

The Coast Guard says it will continue search operations for the missing.