Twin tragedies on Philippine and Tanzanian ferries

Thirty-six people are feared dead after flames fanned by strong winds swept through a cargo and passenger ferry yesterday off Quezon, 70 miles south of the Philippines capital, Manila.

At least 23 have been confirmed dead and 13 more listed as missing.

And in eastern Tanzania at least 100 people are feared drowned after a boat sank yesterday crossing the Kilombero river from Ulanga to Morogoro, about 155 miles west of the capital, Dar es Salaam.

In the Philippines, 94 of the 290 people on the Maria Carmela ferry were hurt. Many of those killed either suffocated or drowned after jumping overboard without lifejackets to escape the smoke.

The ferry was 11 miles from its destination, Lucena, when the fire broke out at around 7am.

Survivors said that the blaze started on a lower deck which held 14 vehicles and a cargo which included a large shipment of dried coconut.

The charred ferry, listing and pouring smoke, was towed by sister ships out of the shipping lanes to allow the fire to burn out.