'People were trampling me': Philippine ferry fire survivor recalls narrow escape

Passengers on board a ferry to the Philippines' Palawan province were jolted into chaos on Wednesday night, when a fire broke out on the vessel.

Frantic cries pierced the night sky as hot air filled the boat, recalls Roland Lerma, one of more than 100 passengers aboard the MV June Aster.

Five people have died and 86 people are missing after the fire, which, in a country where shipping accidents are not uncommon, could become one of the deadliest maritime disasters the Philippines has seen.

Families are anxiously awaiting news about their loved ones on board, while survivors like Lerma are coming to terms with their harrowing escape.

Speaking to the BBC from a hospital in Coron, Lerma recalled that as the fire spread and he scrambled to get off the burning boat, he slipped and fell.

"When I was on the floor, people were trampling me," said the 30-year-old.

He started crawling until he could find his footing again, before leaping off the vessel into the sea.

He said he saw children who had also jumped in the water, though he could not make out their faces in the dark.