A fire broke out on a Philippine inter-island ship today, killing at least 23 people and leaving about 50 missing.
At least 219 people were rescued from the MV Maria Carmelaafter it caught fire as it neared port 11 miles off Lucena city in Quezon province, the Montenegro Shipping Lines Inc said in a statement.
Coast guard officials said 10 of those killed drowned when they jumped off the burning ship.
The company said 243 passengers and 47 crew were on board.