A ferry carrying 120 passengers and crew members has caught fire at sea in the Philippines, and a Coast Guard vessel has been deployed to rescue those on board and extinguish the flames, according to officials. The M/V Esperanza Star caught fire at dawn on Sunday while traveling from Siquijor province to Bohol province in the central Philippines, the Coast Guard said. It did not immediately say how many people had been rescued from the ferry or if there were casualties. 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 on board another vessel used water cannon trying to put out the fire. A fishing boat and another vessel could be seen nearby. None of the 65 passengers and 55 crew members could be seen on board the burning ferry based on the photographs and video released by the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard has used a water cannon to extinguish a fire that broke out on a passenger ferry. The Esperanza Star was traveling between provinces when the blaze started off the island of Bohol. Officials said all 120 passengers and crew on board have been accounted for and no casualties were reported. The cause of the incident is still being investigated. In a statement on Facebook, the Coast Guard said its rescue ships would remain in the waters of Panglao, Bohol, to monitor the situation. — Agencies
