Philippine ferry fire victims may take months to identify, authorities say

Authorities in the Philippines said it could take weeks or months to identify the 76 victims of a ferry fire after forensic experts began collecting and comparing DNA samples from charred remains. Investigators are also working out what caused one of the country’s deadliest maritime disasters in recent years. The MV June Aster, carrying more than 130 people, was en route from Manila to Coron in Palawan when it caught fire. Some remains were found clustered together; others were scattered. Rescue teams recovered 41 additional remains on Saturday, raising the death toll to 76, while 13 people remained unaccounted for. Officials say flooded sections are not fully searched, and the cause remains under investigation.