A ferry ravaged by fire in the Philippines was towed ashore today as the death toll from the blaze rose to 31 with seven still missing.

Drone footage shows the charred remains of the MV Lady Mary Joy 3 moored on the shore of Basilan province on Thursday afternoon March 30 following intense firefighting operations overnight.

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

Passengers were jolted awake from the noise and plunged into the water to escape the blaze, but others were trapped on the burning ferry.

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.