The Philippine coast guard reported that seven people died after a high-speed ferry carrying 134 people caught fire on Monday, with seven passengers still missing.

Just before approaching the port of Real in Quezon province, around 60 kilometers (37.28 miles) east of the capital Manila, the ship caught fire. It had left Polilio Island at 5:00 a.m. local time (Sunday 2100 GMT) and issued a distress signal at 6:30 a.m.

Five men and two women perished, while 120 people were recovered and 23 were treated for injuries, according to a statement from the coast guard.

Images posted by the coast guard depicted people in life vests adrift at sea awaiting rescue, while others were rescued by a nearby cargo ship. The two-story passenger ferry was enveloped by fire and dense smoke.

It was not immediately clear what caused the fire. Still, the Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,600 islands, has a lousy record for maritime safety, with vessels frequently overcrowded and many aging dishes.

In 1987, around 5,000 people perished in the world's most excellent peacetime shipping accident when an overloaded passenger ferry collided with an oil tanker off Mindoro island, south of Manila.