This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7467696.stm

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 18 Version 19
Philippines ferry hit by typhoon Hundreds missing as ship capsizes
(about 12 hours later)
Fears are growing for more than 700 people on board a ferry which has capsized in the central Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Fengshen. More than 700 people are missing from a ferry which capsized off the Philippines in heavy seas in the wake of Typhoon Fengshen.
A rescue ship that managed to reach the vessel more than 24 hours after it lost radio contact reported no sign of life. A rescue ship that finally managed to reach the Princess of the Stars ferry reported no sign of life.
There are only four known survivors - one told local media that passengers had just minutes to abandon ship. There are only four known survivors, but officials hope others may have managed to swim to safety.
The Red Cross estimates some 155 people have died across the country in floods and landslides caused by the storm. The Red Cross estimates some 155 people have died across the country in floods and landslides caused by the typhoon.
The vessel left Manila on Friday en route to Cebu, and according to its owners, Sulpicio Lines, contact was lost at about 1230 (0430 GMT) on Saturday.The vessel left Manila on Friday en route to Cebu, and according to its owners, Sulpicio Lines, contact was lost at about 1230 (0430 GMT) on Saturday.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS Ferry leaves Manila on Friday626 passengers and 121 crew on boardEngines failed Saturday afternoonRadio contact lost soon afterwardsRescuers reach ship on Sunday afternoon In pictures: Philippines typhoonTIMELINE OF EVENTS Ferry leaves Manila on Friday626 passengers and 121 crew on boardEngines failed Saturday afternoonRadio contact lost soon afterwardsRescuers reach ship on Sunday afternoon In pictures: Philippines typhoon
The four known survivors, named as Jesus Gica, Oliver Amorin, Jessie Buot and Renato Lanorio, have been telling local media about their experiences.The four known survivors, named as Jesus Gica, Oliver Amorin, Jessie Buot and Renato Lanorio, have been telling local media about their experiences.
Mr Lanoria said he had been on the top deck when a crew member ordered passengers to put on life jackets at about 1130 on Saturday.Mr Lanoria said he had been on the top deck when a crew member ordered passengers to put on life jackets at about 1130 on Saturday.
He said that about 30 minutes later, the ship tilted and elderly people and children slipped on the rain-soaked deck.He said that about 30 minutes later, the ship tilted and elderly people and children slipped on the rain-soaked deck.
Jesus Gica said he was worried that many people had been trapped below deck.Jesus Gica said he was worried that many people had been trapped below deck.
"There were many of us who jumped overboard, but we were separated because of the big waves," he said."There were many of us who jumped overboard, but we were separated because of the big waves," he said.
"The others were also able to board the life rafts, but it was useless because the strong winds flipped them over.""The others were also able to board the life rafts, but it was useless because the strong winds flipped them over."
The four managed to swim to the shore of Sibuyan, in Romblon province, where they were found by villagers, according to government officials.The four managed to swim to the shore of Sibuyan, in Romblon province, where they were found by villagers, according to government officials.
The 23,824-tonne ferry, the Princess of the Stars, has a passenger capacity of 1,992. Why did you allow it to sail and why was there no ample warning? I want answers Gloria ArroyoPhilippine President,
There is some confusion over the number of people on board. The ship's list states it was carrying 626 passengers and 121 crew. Local reports put the figure as high as 820. Battling huge waves, a rescue ship only managed to reach the ferry more than 24 hours after it lost radio contact.
As night falls hopes are fading of finding other survivors. Four bodies - believed to be from the ferry - were washed on shore on Sunday in the town of San Fernando in Sibyan.
The town's mayor said the upturned ferry could be seen from shore with its bow jutting out of the water.
As rescue efforts are due to resume on Monday, officials are now checking reports that a number of survivors might have made it to a small island.
President's anger
The 23,824-tonne ferry has a passenger capacity of 1,992.
There is some confusion over the number of people on board. The ship's list states it was carrying 626 passengers and 121 crew. Local reports put the figure as high as 820, including more than 50 children.
Anxious relatives have gathered at the ferry's office in the capital, Manila
The Philippine President, Gloria Arroyo, has demanded an explanation as to why the ferry was allowed to leave port on Friday despite warnings that a typhoon was about to hit.The Philippine President, Gloria Arroyo, has demanded an explanation as to why the ferry was allowed to leave port on Friday despite warnings that a typhoon was about to hit.
We were not really worried because it was not raining here at all - but the ship should not have been allowed to leave Lina SalinasRelative
"Why did you allow it to sail and why was there no ample warning? I want answers," she told civil defence and coast guard authorities during a briefing on the accident."Why did you allow it to sail and why was there no ample warning? I want answers," she told civil defence and coast guard authorities during a briefing on the accident.
Worried relatives have been gathering at the offices of Sulpicio Lines.Worried relatives have been gathering at the offices of Sulpicio Lines.
One relative, Lina Salinas, said she had waved off her sister on the 22-hour voyage on Friday.One relative, Lina Salinas, said she had waved off her sister on the 22-hour voyage on Friday.
"We knew it was signal number 1 (the first stage of typhoon alerts) at the time, but we were not really worried because it was not raining here at all," Ms Salinas was quoted by AFP news agency as saying. "We knew it was signal number 1 [the first stage of typhoon alerts] at the time, but we were not really worried because it was not raining here at all," Ms Salinas was quoted by AFP news agency as saying.
"But the ship should not have been allowed to leave," she said."But the ship should not have been allowed to leave," she said.
A spokesman for the company said the priority was the search and rescue of passengers and that there would be no talk of responsibility at present. A spokesman for the company said the priority was the search and rescue operation and that there would be no talk of responsibility at present.
The mayor of San Fernando, a coastal town in Sibuyan, said that four bodies had washed ashore on Sunday, including a man and a woman who had tied themselves together.
She said the upturned ferry could be seen from shore with its bow jutting out of the water.
Burst riverBurst river
Typhoon Fengshen swept across the central Philippines on Saturday, leaving some 59 people dead and dozens more missing. Typhoon Fengshen swept across the central Philippines on Saturday.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
Emergency workers rescue those trapped by flood watersEmergency workers rescue those trapped by flood waters
In Iloilo, a central province, chief administrator Manuel Mejorada said most of the victims had been killed as a result of flooding caused by the storm. In Iloilo, a central province where 101 people were reported dead, chief administrator Manuel Mejorada said most of the victims had been killed as a result of flooding caused by the storm.
"Yesterday there was hardly any villages and communities which were not under water, and where the people were literally stranded on rooftops with no food and no water, and chilling in the cold."Yesterday there was hardly any villages and communities which were not under water, and where the people were literally stranded on rooftops with no food and no water, and chilling in the cold.
"Right now the floodwaters have receded, and we are shifting our efforts to bringing food, water, medicine and clothing," he told the BBC."Right now the floodwaters have receded, and we are shifting our efforts to bringing food, water, medicine and clothing," he told the BBC.
At its peak, the storm was packing gusts of up to 93mph (150 km/h). It changed course on Sunday, hitting the capital Manila with heavy rainfall at dawn.At its peak, the storm was packing gusts of up to 93mph (150 km/h). It changed course on Sunday, hitting the capital Manila with heavy rainfall at dawn.
Thousands of people across the country have been evacuated from their homes. Many roads are blocked and there are widespread power cuts. Thousands of people across the country have been evacuated from their homes. Many roads are blocked and there have been widespread power cuts.
Are you in the Philippines? Do you know someone who may be on the ferry? Have you been affected by the typhoon? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
Are you in the Philippines? Do you know someone who may be on the ferry? Have you been affected by the typhoon? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
Name
 Name