Smoke continued rising early on Friday from a passenger ferry that caught fire and burned off the western Philippines, leaving at least five people dead and 86 missing, officials said.

By Thursday night, search and rescue operations were halted as rescuers struggled to get into the ferry. Efforts were set to resume on Friday morning, according to officials.

So far, 43 people have been rescued, coast guard spokeswoman Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said.