Three dead in Ferry fire

An inter-island ferry with at least 75 people caught fire then sank amid stormy weather in the central Philippines today, leaving three people dead, one missing while the rest were rescued, officials said.

The steel-hulled M/V Island Fastcraft 1 was cruising toward Cebu province when it caught fire during a downpour, prompting several passengers to jump into the churning waters. Three drowned.

Most of the passengers were rescued by a passing ship, coast guard officer Fidel Hibaya said.

Coast guard chief Admiral Ramon Liwag said one passenger was reported missing.

It was not immediately clear what sparked the blaze, but there was a report of an electrical problem in the engine room before the fire. An investigation was under way, Liwag said.

The dead included the chief mate and two passengers, the coast guard said.