Fears are growing for more than 700 passengers on a ferry which officials say has capsized off the Philippines in the wake of a typhoon.
Fears are growing for more than 700 people on a ferry which officials say has capsized in the central Philippines in the wake of a typhoon.
Four bodies washed up on shore on the Sibuyan island in the central Philippines, officials said.
Rescuers have reached the scene but their efforts are being hampered by heavy seas and gale force winds.
It is feared that many of the passengers may have died, amid some reports that the ferry has sunk.
Officials on Sibuyan island say four bodies have been recovered. There are unconfirmed reports of three survivors.
Typhoon Fengshen has caused flash floods and landslides, killing at least 69 people elsewhere in the Philippines.
Typhoon Fengshen has caused flash floods and landslides, killing at least 69 people elsewhere in the Philippines.
The ferry, the Princess of Stars, said to be carrying 626 passengers and 121 crew, was en route to Cebu from Manila, at about 1230 (0430 GMT) on Saturday.
The ferry, the Princess of the Stars, was reported to be carrying 626 passengers and 121 crew.
Coastguard officials said the ferry's engine failed on Saturday afternoon and the vessel then ran aground several kilometres off Sibuyan in the Romblon province.
It was en route to Cebu from Manila, and according to its owners, Sulpicio Lines, contact was lost at about 1230 (0430 GMT) on Saturday, Reuters reported.
Rescuers are still trying to reach the ship, although heavy seas and gale force winds have hampered the operation and radio communication with the ship has been lost.
Coastguard officials said the ferry's engine failed on Saturday afternoon and that the vessel then ran aground several kilometres off Sibuyan, in Romblon province.
The mayor of San Fernando, a coastal town on Sibuyan, said that four bodies were washed ashore on Sunday, including a man and a woman that had been tied together.
The mayor of San Fernando, a coastal town in Sibuyan, said that four bodies were washed ashore on Sunday, including a man and a woman that had been tied together.
There are unconfirmed reports of three survivors.
Burst river
Burst river
In Iloilo, a central province, Governor Neil Tupaz said 59 people had been killed.
In Iloilo, a central province, Governor Neil Tupaz said 59 people had been killed as a result of flooding caused by the typhoon.
Fengshen has been battering the Philippines for several days
Fengshen has been battering the Philippines for several days
"Iloilo is like an ocean. This is the worst disaster we have had in our history," he told local radio.
"Iloilo is like an ocean. This is the worst disaster we have had in our history," he told local radio.
Ten people drowned after a river burst its banks and swept away houses in southern Maguindanao province. Several other people were reported missing by the local authorities.
Ten people drowned after a river burst its banks and swept away houses in southern Maguindanao province. Several other people were reported missing by the local authorities.
A landslide has also buried several houses in Cotabato city, also in the south, killing at least two people, officials said.
A landslide has also buried several houses in Cotabato city, also in the south, killing at least two people, officials said.
Thousands of people across the country have been evacuated from the path of the typhoon.
Thousands of people across the country have been evacuated from the path of the typhoon.
Gusts of up to 170km/h (106mph) have caused much damage in southern and central areas. Many roads are blocked and there are widespread power cuts.
Gusts of up to 170km/h (106mph) have caused much damage in southern and central areas. Many roads are blocked and there are widespread power cuts.
Domestic flights to central regions have been cancelled and inter-island ferry services halted, officials say.
Domestic flights to central regions have been cancelled and inter-island ferry services halted, officials say.
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Emergency teams rescue those trapped by flood waters
Emergency teams rescue those trapped by flood waters
Are you in the Philippines? Do you 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 someone who may be on the ferry? Have you been affected by the typhoon? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
