31 dead after passenger ferry fire in Philippines

March 30th 2023

by Sky News

Up to 31 people have died after a ferry carrying about 250 passengers and crew caught fire in the southern Philippines.

The Coast Guard Commodore Rejard Marfe confirmed that 28 people had drowned or died in the blaze

However, Jim Hataman, governor of Basilan, the southern island province near where the ferry caught fire, said 31 people had died.

Search and rescue efforts are continuing for at least seven missing passengers.

The MV Lady Mary Joy 3 was en route to the Sulu province from the southern port city of Zamboanga when it caught fire close to midnight local time, Mr Hataman said.

The bodies of 18 individuals were discovered in a passenger cabin.

"These victims perished onboard due to the fire," he added.

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