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.
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.
Rescuers have reached the scene but their efforts are being hampered by heavy seas and gale force winds.
Rescuers have reached the scene but their efforts are being hampered by heavy seas and gale force winds.
Officials on Sibuyan island say four bodies have been recovered. There are unconfirmed reports of three survivors.
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 the Stars, was reported to be carrying 626 passengers and 121 crew.
The ferry, the Princess of the Stars, was reported to be carrying 626 passengers and 121 crew.
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.
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.
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.
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 in 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.
Burst river
Burst river
In Iloilo, a central province, Governor Neil Tupaz said 59 people had been killed as a result of flooding caused by the typhoon.
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.
