At least 12 dead after ferry fire in the Philippines

Most of those who died drowned and were recovered at sea, officials said.

(Philippine Coast Guard via AP)

A ferry carrying about 250 passengers and crew caught fire between Philippine islands and at least 12 people were killed with seven still missing, a provincial governor has said.

Many of those rescued jumped off the ferry in panic at the height of the fire and were pulled from the sea by the coast guard, navy, another ferry and local fishermen, said governor Jim Hataman of the southern island province of Basilan. The search and rescue effort was continuing on Thursday.