At least 31 people have died and around 170 are missing after a ferry collided with a cargo ship and sank off the Philippines, BBC News reported.

The MV Thomas Aquinas was in collision with the cargo vessel on Friday, August 16 evening near the central city of Cebu, officials said.

It was carrying 715 passengers and 116 crew, according to latest coast guard figures. Divers have been searching for bodies in the ferry.

The incident took place around 2km (1.2 miles) from the shore.

The ferry was sailing into the port at Cebu - the country's second biggest city - when it collided with the cargo ship travelling the other way at about 21:00 local time (13:00 GMT).