The archipelago coast guard said more than 30 people were killed and 230 people were rescued in a fire on a passenger ship off the coast of the Philippine province of Basilan on Wednesday evening.

According to the latest count, 31 dead were counted, the search for seven missing people continues.

Another 23 people were injured in a fire that broke out in the ship’s air-conditioned cabins, the head of the coast guard in the Mindanao region told DZMM radio station. The ship had a nominal capacity of 430 passengers, but fortunately carried between 250 and 300 people.

Footage released by the Philippine Coast Guard shows the MV Lady Mary Joy 3 ferry as crews pour water on it and take passengers ashore.

The Coast Guard said it would contribute to the investigation of the accident and the vessel’s safety assessment, adding that it was investigating whether there was a fuel leak from the ferry.

The Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,600 islands and islets, has a poor reputation when it comes to maritime safety, with ships often carrying too many passengers and many shipping lines using aging ships. Maritime accidents often occur in the country.

In May 2022, at least seven people died in a fire on a passenger ship carrying 134 people.

Source: APE-MPE, Associated Press.