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Philippine coast guard rescues 120 people as ferry catches fire

MANILA: All 120 people onboard a ferry that caught fire at sea in central Philippines on Sunday (Jun 18) have been rescued, the coast guard said.

The M/V Esperanza Star, which was carrying 65 passengers and 55 officers and crew members, caught fire at dawn while sailing from Siquijor island in the south to nearby Bohol island, the coast guard said

Photos and video released by the coast guard show flames and black smoke billowing from two decks at one end of the ferry as coast guard personnel onboard another vessel used a water cannon to try to put out the fire. A fishing boat and one other vessel could be seen nearby.

The coast guard declared the fire out by around 2am GMT (10am, Singapore time), a spokesperson said. The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Two coast guard vessels involved in firefighting and rescue operations were still in waters in the vicinity of the fire. The whereabouts and conditions of the rescued passengers and crew members were not disclosed.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/philippine-ferry-mv-esperanza-star-fire-siquijor-bohol-central-philippines-3570136