One crew still missing on burning ferry off Japan coast

TOKYO: Rescuers on Saturday launched an onboard search for a missing crew member after a fire broke out on a ferry off the coast of northern Japan prompting the evacuation of dozens of passengers, the coastguard said.

Coastguard boats continued battling the blaze on the Sunflower Daisetsu after a distress call was made Friday evening as it was sailing about 55 kilometres (34 miles) off the coast of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island.