2 hospitalized as Dapitan-bound ferry catches fire

A passenger vessel bound for Dapitan City caught fire on Wednesday, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

PCG spokesman Captain Armand Balilo said MV Lite Ferry 16 caught fire while approximately at 1.5 nautical miles from Pulauan Port.

Balilo said the vessel left Port of Samboan in Santander, Cebu, on Tuesday night.

Initial investigation bared that the fire had started on the engine of the vessel, which had 137 passengers on board.

Balilo said two were reported unconscious and rushed to the hospital.

Rescue operation was ongoing as of posting time. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News