31 dead, passengers missing in Philippine ferry fire tragedy.

At least 31 people have died and seven are missing after a ferry caught fire off Baluk-Baluk Island in the southern Philippines. The MV Lady Mary Joy 3 was carrying around 250 passengers and crew when the blaze broke out, with many survivors jumping off the boat and being rescued by the coast guard, navy, a nearby ferry and local fishermen. The ferry was traveling to Jolo from the southern port city of Zamboanga when it caught fire off Basilan close to midnight. Officials are investigating whether the ferry was seaworthy, if there were passengers not listed on the manifest, and whether the crew properly guided passengers to safety.