A fire on an Italian-flagged cruise ship sailing through the Ionian Sea has left just one crew member injured among the nearly 300 people who were on board.

The Greek coast guard said flames broke out on the Euroferry Olympia, which was heading to Italy from the Greek port city of Igoumenitsa, at 4:30 a.m. local time Friday.

"The passengers of the cruise ship were transferred safe and sound on rescue boats to Corfu," Rodi Kratsa, the governor of the Ionian Islands region told Greek public broadcaster ERT.

Greek coast guard patrol and tow boats rushed to the site and a frigate and two helicopters took part in the rescue operations.

The cause of the blaze that engulfed the ship is still unknown.

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