36 dead, 19 missing as ferry capsizes in Philippines

[webfact]

36 dead, 19 missing as ferry capsizes in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A ferry carrying 173 passengers capsized Thursday as it left a central Philippine port in choppy waters, leaving at least 36 people dead and 19 others missing, coast guard officials said.

They said at least 118 passengers of the M/B Kim Nirvana were rescued by nearby fishing boats and coast guard personnel or swam to safety off Ormoc city on Leyte Island.

Coast guard spokesman Armand Balilo said the ferry was leaving Ormoc for the Camotes Islands, about 44 kilometers (27 miles) to the south, when it was lashed by strong waves.

Survivors told The Associated Press by cellphone that the bow of the ferry suddenly rose from the water before the vessel flipped over on one side and began to sink.



-- (c) Associated Press 2015-07-02

[webfact]

The Latest on Philippines: 36 dead after big waves hit ferry
The Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The latest on the ferry sinking in the Philippines (all times local):
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4 p.m.

A ferry with 173 passengers has capsized 100 meters (yards) from a pier in the central Philippines, and 36 people are confirmed dead.

Rescuers are in the waters off Ormoc city on Leyte Island looking for 19 people still missing.

Coast guard spokesman Armand Balilo in the capital, Manila, says 118 have been rescued so far.

Balilo says the ferry, MB Kim Nirvana, had just left Ormoc for Camotes Islands, about 44 kilometers (27 miles) to the south, when it was hit by big waves.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-07-02

[soalbundy]

couldn't have been overloaded could it ? No not in Asia where safety is paramount.

[starchild5]

couldn't have been overloaded could it ? No not in Asia where safety is paramount.

Yeah like what happened to Costa Concordia in the so called Safe Zone on earth called Europe, where the captain rescued himself before the passengers lol..

Its not the complete picture....there are over 10,000 boats, ships etc sailing from one island to another in Philippines everyday on over 7000+ islands...its safer than roads in America and Europe.

I sat on one of those boats, few months back and the pacific currents were so strong that it swayed the boats left and right, Philippines battles with nature everyday, yet the accidents are rare compared to the sheer amount of boats that sail between the islands...

There are disasters but its safe compared to US roads where over 30,000 people died in roads last year compared to Boats in Philippines which is their main transportation between the island and 1000s use it everyday.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_traffic-related_death_rate

[bangon04]

Philippine travellers usually cross themselves fervently before starting any journey.... there but for the grace of God...