Search continues for survivors after Philippine ferry accident, leaving at least five people dead
Philippine ferries, which seasonally brave rough seas in the Pacific typhoon belt, are notorious for overloading
Rescue teams in the Philippines resumed their search for survivors on Friday after a ferry carrying more than 250 passengers capsized, with at least five confirmed dead.
The accident occurred in rough waters off the main island of Luzon on Thursday as the Mercraft 3 keeled over en route to a remote island.
The 206-tonne vessel had been given the green light to sail as Tropical Storm Tembin gathered pace over the southern Philippines nearly a thousand kilometres away, as there were no storm alerts in the local area, the coastguard said. But a survivor told local radio that the ferry was forced to stop at sea due to large waves and strong winds, before it started taking in water from the bow and tipped over.
Filipino ferries, which seasonally brave rough seas in the Pacific typhoon belt, are notorious for overloading.
Some 252 people have so far been pulled to safety, with the death toll up to five.
The coastguard had earlier said only 251 passengers and crew were on board, but confirmed the vessel had a 286-person capacity.