At least two people were injured after a fire broke out on an Italian-flagged ferry sailing from Greece to Italy on Friday with 290 people on board, according to multiple media report.

A 42-year-old crew member was injured, AFP reported citing a coastguard official. But no details on the individual's condition have been revealed.

Earlier, Greek national broadcaster ERT said one passenger got respiratory problems and was transferred to a hospital of the nearby Greek island of Corfu.

The Euroferry Olympia vessel was sailing through the Mediterranean's Ionian Sea when a fire broke out at 4:30 am (0130 GMT).

It was heading to Italy from the Greek port city of Igoumenitsa with 239 passengers and 51 crew were on board, as well as nearly 180 vehicles, local media said.

So far, 278 people have been rescued and 12 remain missing, Greek news website OT said. 

But there's no official confirmation yet on missing persons from the ferry. 

The cause of the fire is still unknown.

(With input from agencies)