A cargo vessel caught fire southwest of Manila, Philippines, on Sunday, forcing its crew to abandon ship.

The Castphill XV erupted in flames near the entrance to Manila Bay during early morning operations. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) responded, with patrol vessel BRP Boracay rescuing seven crew members from the water by 4:30 AM. All seven sustained minor injuries and were safely brought ashore in Manila for medical evaluation.

By approximately 7:30 AM, PCG personnel from the Malagonlong station in Cavite province rescued five additional survivors. All were transported back to Malagonlong for treatment.

The PCG has launched an investigation into the fire’s cause. Photos taken by the coast guard show intense flames and towering plumes of fire erupting from the ship’s forward deck, suggesting the vessel was carrying flammable cargo.

Although Castphill XV is not a tanker, the ship appears linked to Mega Oil, a Manila-based fuel distribution company.

No records for Castphill XV appear in international shipping databases—a common trait among coastal vessels engaged in Southeast Asia’s domestic trade. Recent video footage of the ship revealed signs of aging, including dented steel plating around its stern.