Dozens of passengers jumped to the sea to escape horror ship fire in the Philippines.

Officials said that 164 crew and passengers were rescued off the waters between Tugas and Tilmobo Islands in Bohol province after fastcraft MV Mama Mary Chloe erupted in flames in on June 26.

Footage shows dozens of people wearing orange lifejackets drifting in the water as they desperately shouted for help.

One of the passengers identified as Adolfo Ranola did not survive and was found dead among the crowd. He was taken for an autopsy while police investigated the cause of the fire.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Lieutenant Junior Grade Krysta Bergantin said: ‘Allegedly, the flames came from the exhaust of the engine. But as to the real cause of the fire, that is still under investigation

‘When it sent its distress signal, it was still sailing within the waters of Bohol, just 2.2 nautical miles away from the port.'

A male passenger who was earlier missing identified as Andy Tonacio, 32, was found the next day, June 27, drifting off Hilongos town.

Lieutenant Krysta added most of the passengers had been reunited with their families except for the one who died and another two who remained at the hospital to treat their burns.

She said: ‘These are just minor injuries – minor burns from the fire, and they are being treated right now. Majority of the passengers reunited with their families.'

No signs of possible oil spill due to the fire were found while the cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

Just last May, a burning fast craft killed seven and injured 24 passengers off Polillo Island as it headed to mainland Luzon. The fire reportedly started on the vessel's engine room.