Over 100 evacuated after ferry suffers onboard fire off Bohol, Philippines

The Philippine Coast Guard and the crews of some Good Samaritan vessels successfully rescued over 100 people from a passenger ferry after it caught fire off the Philippine province of Bohol on Sunday, June 18.

The ferry Esperanza Star was underway off Panglao Island when the blaze ignited in an undisclosed area of the vessel at around 03:55 local time on Sunday.

The ferry had earlier departed the Port of Lazi in Siquijor province and was en route to Bohol’s Port of Tagbilaran when the incident occurred.

The coast guard deployed two patrol vessels to the area to conduct firefighting and search and rescue (SAR) operations.

All 120 of the ferry’s passengers and crew have since been transported to Tagbilaran. No serious injuries have been reported.

The coast guard has begun an investigation to identify the probable causes of the fire.