At least 39 people, including eight children, have drowned and ten are missing after a boat capsized in the Philippines just 20 minutes into its voyage.

The ferry, with 125 people on board, was overturned by a strong wind off the island of Masbate, according to Ruben Sindac, a senior police superintendent.

Emergency workers have so far rescued 76 people and are continuing to search for those who remain unaccounted for, amid fears that more people could have been on the craft.

Speaking to local radio, Sindac said: "The Don Dexter Kathleen capsized due to a freak accident, it was hit by a high wind despite fair weather and calm waters."

'Whirlwind'

Roy Almine, a police officer who helped in the rescue, said huge waves and strong monsoon winds suddenly hit the boat, causing it to overturn and toss passengers into the sea.

"There was no rain. It was like a whirlwind, and the boat overturned,'' Almine said.

Navy, coast guard and local authorities are continuing to search the area between Masbate and Luzon island.

The accident comes four months after the 23,000 tonne inter-island ferry, Princess of the Stars, capsized during a typhoon off the central island of Sibuyan carrying 850 passengers and crew.

Only 57 passengers and crew survived the accident, which was the worst maritime disaster in the Philippines for 20 years.

Mishaps involving ferries are common in this archipelago where many poor people rely on small, poorly-maintained vessels to travel between islands.

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