An abandoned car carrier burst into flames during scrapping operations off the Philippine coast on Friday.

The MV Diamond Highway vessel, which washed ashore close to Lapu Lapu City in Cebu province during a 2021 typhoon, caught fire while personnel were taking it apart on April 28.

Footage shows a large plume of black smoke billowing from the ship as burning material flowed into the sea.

Firefighting boats were deployed to put out the blaze, which was extinguished past midnight on April 29 after 10 hours.

Lapu-Lapu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Chief Nagiel Bañacia said all 23 staff were rescued safely. He said: 'The acetylene spilled and it fell on paint which caused the fire.'

Initial investigations found that the fire started on the ship's starboard bow.

A more detailed probe is ongoing to determine the exact cause and damage caused.