Many of those rescued jumped off the ferry in panic at the height of the fire and were pulled from the sea.
AT LEAST 12 people have died and seven people are still missing after a ferry carrying about 250 passengers and crew caught fire between Philippine islands, a provincial governor has said.
Hataman said the ferry was on its way to Jolo town in the Sulu province from the southern port city of Zamboanga when it caught fire midway off Basilan close to midnight.The dead included at least three children, who were apparently separated from their parents, and at least 23 passengers were injured and taken to hospital.
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