Passenger ferry with 124 people on board catches fire in central Philippines

MANILA, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- A passenger ferry with 124 people on board caught fire on Sunday near the Argao Pier in Cebu province in the central Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard spokesman said.

Armand Balilo said all the ship's 97 passengers and 27 crew made it to safety after a rescue operation launched by the Coast Guard.

Balilo said the incident happened around 10:00 a.m. when fire engulfed the MV Lite Ferry 28 some 300 meters from the Taloot Wharf.

The ferry, which left Tagbilaran City in nearby Bohol province around 8:00 a.m., was approaching Cebu when the incident happened, he added.

He said the fire was put out more than four hours later, paving the way for an investigation into the cause of the accident.