Manila: According to a provincial governor, a ferry between two Philippine islands carrying about 250 passengers and crew caught fire, killing at least 12 and leaving seven others missing.

According to Governor Jim Hataman of the southern island province of Basilan, many of those saved had jumped off the ferry in panic during the height of the fire and were pulled from the water by the coast guard, navy, another ferry, and local fishermen. On Thursday, the search and rescue operation was ongoing.

The governor claimed that the majority of those on board the MV Lady Mary Joy 3 had been rescued overnight, but authorities were verifying the data from various rescue teams, so the numbers might have changed.

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When it caught fire midway off Basilan at around midnight, the ferry was travelling from the southern port city of Zamboanga to Jolo town in the province of Sulu, according to him.

At least three children, who were reportedly kept apart from their parents, were among the dead, and at least 23 other passengers were hurt and taken to hospitals, he claimed.

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"The commotion brought on by the fire awakened some of the passengers. Some people jumped off the ship, Hataman said over the phone to The Associated Press. Officials reported that the majority of the deceased drowned and were found at sea.

According to Hataman, the burned ferry has been towed to Basilan's shoreline, and an investigation is in progress.

Due to frequent storms, poorly maintained boats, overcrowding, and inconsistent enforcement of safety regulations, particularly in remote provinces, sea accidents are common in the Philippine archipelago.

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The world's worst maritime disaster to occur during a time of peace occurred in December 1987 when the ferry Dona Paz sank after colliding with a fuel tanker. More than 4,300 people perished.