Ninety-seven people have been rescued from a burning ro-pax off the Philippines.

The blaze began on Sunday on a ship named as Lite Ferry 28 (built 2008), the SunStar reported.

A barge called LCT Miami took all the passengers on board.

The 27 crew remained on board to fight the fire, which started in the engine room.

A towage operation has begun off Taloot port.