Philippines

700 feared dead after ferry sinks

Article published on the 2008-06-22 Latest update 2008-06-22 15:39 TU

Central Philippines under flood water, 22 June 2008
photo: reuters

The Philippines is reeling from the damage caused by Typhoon Fengshen this weekend. At least 155 people have been killed. The tolls is expected to be higher because a ferry carrying about 750 passengers sank in the central Phillipines. By Sunday evening, only four survivors had been saved.

The Philippines capital, Manila and surrounding areas felt the lash of the typhoon on Sunday. The city suffered power cuts and flights at the domestic and international airports were cancelled.

Typhoon Fengshen has moved on from Manila and the main island of Luzon in a northwestly direction at about fifteen kilometres per hour. On Saturday, the typhoon raged over the central islands with winds at 120 kilometres per hour.

The central Philippines are the worst affected by Typhoon Fengshen, but flooding in the province of Iloilo has eased say local officials.  About thirty thousand people in that province says provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada, were evacuated. Thousands were forced onto roof tops or up tall trees to escape the fast rising water on Saturday.

There is no electricity in Iloilo nor in areas nearby, and officials say that it's unlikely to be restored before one week. Telephone and cellphone infrastructure have also been damaged in the area.