Scores rescued as Philippine ferry catches fire

A Philippine ferry carrying 82 passengers and crew caught fire as it was approaching a port south of Manila on Friday and at least 73 of those onboard have been rescued, coast guard officials said.

Search and rescue efforts were continuing after nightfall for the remaining passengers and crew of the M/V Asia Philippines, an inter-island cargo and passenger vessel which came from nearby Calapan city in Oriental Mindoro province, according to officials.

Video released by the coast guard showed flames and black smoke billowing from the ferry, which was near other ships more than a kilometer from anchorage waters off Batangas port. A ship was assisting two coast guard vessels in the rescue efforts, they said. The cause of the fire was not immediately clear. The ferry can carry up to about 400 passengers, the coast guard said.