At least five people have died and dozens remain missing after a fire broke out aboard a passenger ferry off the western Philippines, prompting a major search-and-rescue operation.

The fire erupted Wednesday evening aboard the MV June Aster as the vessel approached Coron in Palawan province after sailing from the capital, Manila.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said 43 people had been rescued so far. The fire was extinguished, but the badly damaged ferry remained afloat and was listing, with smoke still rising from the charred vessel by midday Thursday.

“We are continuing search and rescue operations,” Cayabyab said.

A Coast Guard ship and high-speed response boats were deployed to the area, joined by a military vessel, other government boats, private volunteers and local fishermen.

Authorities also issued radio alerts asking nearby vessels to watch for survivors. Coastal communities were notified in case passengers carried by strong currents managed to reach shore.

Images from the overnight rescue operation showed Coast Guard personnel throwing life jackets to survivors as flames engulfed parts of the ferry. Passengers were transferred into smaller boats and taken toward shallow waters, while body bags were seen at a nearby port.

The ferry was close to its destination when the fire began at about 6:45 p.m. Wednesday.

Bad weather, rough seas and strong currents complicated rescue efforts. The vessel was approximately four nautical miles, or 7.4 kilometers, from the village of Turda in Coron when it sent a distress signal.

Strong currents later carried the ferry farther offshore, leaving it about 7.68 nautical miles, or 14.2 kilometers, from Turda.

Search teams continued operations Thursday as authorities worked to locate the missing passengers and determine the cause of the fire.