Ferry Inferno Exposes Cruel Reality of Maritime Safety in Southeast Asia The MV June Aster disaster off the coast of the Philippines has brought attention to a longstanding issue: the flimsy safety protocols and lax regulations governing maritime travel in Southeast Asia.
The tragedy is not just a one off incident, but a symptom of deeper problems that have been exacerbated by human error or negligence.
A cargo hold blaze, fanned by strong winds, rapidly spread through the vessel, killing at least 35 people and leaving over 50 missing.