Philippines

Ferry capsizes, more than 50 dead or missing

Article published on the 2008-12-15 Latest update 2008-12-15 13:14 TU

At least 23 people were killed and 31 others were reported missing after a ferry heading for the island of Luzon capsized when it hit rough waters, the country's coastguard said Monday. The Maejan was carrying at least 102 passengers on its way from Calayan island to the main island. The coastguard dispatched two rescue boats and a plane to search for the missing.

Philippine civil defence officials said that the heavy seas were hampering efforts, but that the search would continue. Some 46 survivors were rescued off the coast near the town of Ballesteros.

Officials said a one-year-old boy is among the dead.

Coast guard spokesman Gary Gimotea said that the area was known for its choppy waters. He added that initial reports indicated that the ferry was overloaded, but did not say what the official capacity was.

Authorities will conduct an investigation after the search and rescue efforts are completed.

This latest ferry disaster in the Philippines follows the country's worst disaster in 20 years, when 797 people died in June after a boat hit a reef at the height of Typhoon Fengshen.