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.