At least 31 people including three children have died after a ferry carrying 250 passengers caught fire in the southern Philippines at 10.40 pm local time. The MV Lady Mary Joy 3 was directed to the Sulu province when the blaze erupted in the ship's air-conditioned cabins.

According to reports, some of the passengers jumped off the boat jolted awake by the noise. The victims are believed to have drowned or died in the blaze.

The Philippine Coast Guard, villagers, and local fishermen rescued several passengers who had jumped into the sea.

At least 23 people have been injured and hospitalised, while search and rescue operations are continuing for seven more missing people.

The cause of the fire is still unknown.

At least 31 people were killed while seven more are missing after a ferry caught fire in the southern Philippines on Wednesday evening.

Some 250 passengers were aboard the MV Lady Mary Joy 3 bound for Sulu province from Zamboanga del Sur when the vessel erupted in flames near Baluk-Baluk island at 11 PM on March 29.

Some of the travellers were jolted awake by the noise and plunged into the water to escape the blaze, but others were trapped on the burning ship.

The Philippine Coast Guard, villagers, and local fishermen rescued those who had jumped into the sea.

Basilan Governor Jim Hataman said there have been 31 casualties - including children - so far who were either burned to death or drowned. Meanwhile, at least 23 have been injured and hospitalised, while search and rescue operations are continuing for seven more missing people.

The cause of the fire is still unknown.