Improperly Stowed Calcium Hypochlorite and Asphalt Caused Deadly Fire on Philippine Ferry
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The Philippines' Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) completed a preliminary investigation into the fire that killed 77 people aboard the ferry June Aster on September 9 off the coast of Palawan. According to the agency, faulty stowage allowed a chemical cargo to spill onto a shipment of solid asphalt, triggering a violent fire that released highly toxic gases and asphyxiated passengers.
How the fire started
According to the BFP's reconstructions, drums of calcium hypochlorite and asphalt blocks were stowed together at the rear of the cargo deck, next to the engine room and near the hot air outlet of the engine. The hypochlorite containers were not securely lashed, and rough weather in the Coron Strait is believed to have caused them to tip over or shift, bringing the chemical into contact with the asphalt. A faulty ventilation system discharging hot air may also have contributed to the ignition.
A delayed voyage
The voyage had been postponed four days, during which cargo continued to be loaded onto the vessel. Once underway, a fuel line repair delayed the ferry by about two hours and 45 minutes, and the master reportedly ordered an increase in engine RPM to reach nine knots, which may have raised the exhaust temperature near the cargo deck.
Victims and possible parties at fault
The fire broke out around 18:30 local time on September 9, when many passengers were already in their cabins and, according to the BFP, may have been asphyxiated before noticing the heat, which would explain the high death toll. Of the 77 fatalities, 63 had been identified, while 43 people were injured and eight remained missing. The BFP indicated that the vessel's operator, the master and crew, the stevedore responsible for cargo stowage, and the Port of Baseco in Manila could face liability if negligence is proven, in addition to possible criminal charges against the operator and personnel involved.
Suspension of other vessels
In light of the severity of the disaster, the Philippines' Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) ordered the suspension of operations for six other vessels operated by Atienza Interisland Ferries, the June Aster's operator, currently located in the Manila area. Inspections found a lack of safety management programs, emergency response plans and trained safety officers, inadequate personal protective equipment, and unpaid wages and overtime. Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said the orders will remain in effect until the company complies with the requirements, with a response due by October 23, and that affected crew members must continue to receive their wages during the suspension.
Initial suspicion ruled out
Following the disaster, initial suspicions had pointed to the self-ignition of an electric vehicle battery, prompting Philippine authorities to review safety protocols for transporting electric vehicles aboard ferries.
