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31 Dead After Ferry Catches Fire Between Philippine Islands

A Philippine Coast Guard ship tries to extinguish fire on the MV Lady Mary Joy at Basilan, early on March 30.

A Philippine Coast Guard ship tries to extinguish fire on the MV Lady Mary Joy at Basilan, early on March 30.

Source: Philippine Coast Guard/AP Photo

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (JIM GOMEZ)
Updated on

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A fire broke out on a ferry in the southern Philippines and raged overnight for eight hours, killing at least 31 of the approximately 250 passengers and crew, officials said Thursday.

Many of the more than 200 people who survived the blaze jumped off the MV Lady Mary Joy 3 and were rescued from the dark sea by the coast guard, navy, a nearby ferry and local fishermen, said Gov. Jim Hataman of the southern island province of Basilan. Rescuers were still searching Thursday for at least seven missing people, he said.