http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-29193653
Officials in central Philippines have launched a rescue operation after a ferry carrying 84 passengers and crew sank in bad weather. They say 55 people have been rescued, with 29 people still missing. An order to abandon ship was given at around 21:20 (13:20 GMT) after the vessel encountered strong winds and huge waves, coast guard officials say. The Philippines has a poor record for maritime safety, with scores of people dying in accidents every year.
Officials in central Philippines have launched a rescue operation after a ferry carrying 84 passengers and crew sank in bad weather. They say 55 people have been rescued, with 29 people still missing. An order to abandon ship was given at around 21:20 (13:20 GMT) after the vessel encountered strong winds and huge waves, coast guard officials say. The Philippines has a poor record for maritime safety, with scores of people dying in accidents every year.
The MV Maharlika II ferry sank north-west off Panaon Island, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council says. It said the ferry suffered steering problems "due to big waves and strong current". Rescue boats had trouble reaching survivors because of the "huge waves," a spokesman for the council, Mina Marasigan, told AFP news agency.
Maritime accidents are common in the Philippine archipelago because of tropical weather, badly maintained passenger boats and weak enforcement of safety regulations, correspondents say.
INC News, 13/09/2014-via BBC
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