Authorities in the Philippines have warned that identifying victims of a devastating ferry fire could take weeks or even months, as forensic teams work through severely burned remains recovered from the vessel.

The disaster has already claimed 76 lives, while 13 people remain unaccounted for. Investigators and forensic specialists are collecting DNA samples and comparing them with information provided by relatives to establish the identities of those who died.

The ferry was carrying more than 130 people while traveling from Manila toward Coron in Palawan. The voyage normally takes more than 20 hours, and the vessel was approaching its destination when the fire broke out.

The condition of the recovered remains is making the identification process particularly difficult. Some were discovered together in sections of the ship, while others were found scattered across different areas. Officials said the extent of the damage means there is no reliable timetable for completing the identification process.

Rescue teams have also warned that additional remains could be discovered. Some sections of the ferry remain difficult to search because lower areas of the vessel were flooded.

Investigators are simultaneously trying to determine what caused the fire. Firefighters were eventually able to enter the vessel after the flames had been extinguished, revealing extensive destruction inside. Steel bed frames were badly twisted by the intense heat, while large portions of the accommodation areas were covered in ash.

Authorities are examining the engine room and lower decks for evidence that could help explain how the blaze began. Survivor accounts have also raised questions about two explosions reportedly heard shortly before the fire spread.

The ferry operator has said it is cooperating with the investigation and will continue supporting families affected by the tragedy.

The disaster has renewed attention on maritime safety in the Philippines, where ferry transportation remains essential because of the country’s thousands of islands. For the families waiting for confirmation about their relatives, however, the immediate priority remains the painstaking process of identifying the victims and bringing some certainty to those still waiting for answers.