9 missing, 73 rescued as ferry catches fire off Batangas port

A ferry caught fire off Batangas Port late Friday afternoon leaving nine people missing and injuring one, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

Of the 82 passengers and crew on board the MV Asia Philippines, a Starlite Shipping vessel, 73 have been rescued, as the ship burned one nautical mile (1.85 kilometres) off Batangas Anchorage Area, a coast guard statement said.