Typhoon lashes Philippines

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-22  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

A FERRY carrying about 700 people was stranded in wind-whipped waters off the coast of the central Philippines on Saturday as Typhoon Fengshen battered the country, killing at least 17, officials said.

Coast guard chief Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said the MV Princess of Stars, owned by Sulpicio Lines, was "dead in the water" after its engine failed around noon near the central Philippine island of Sibuyan.

Sulpicio port captain Nestor Ponteres said they had lost radio contact with the ship, which last reported that it had run aground.

Cebu coast guard spokesman Antonio Cuasito said a rescue vessel sent to the area was forced to return to its home port in Batangas city because of big waves.

Typhoon Fengshen had gained strength after lingering over and battering Romblon island, close to Sibuyan, for about three hours Saturday, chief government weather forecaster Nathaniel Cruz said.

The typhoon was packing sustained winds of 160km per hour and gusts of up to 195kph. It was forecast to move northwest toward Mindoro island.

In southern Maguindanao province, at least 14 people drowned in flash floods, including 10 who were swept away from riverside homes, said provincial administrator Norie Unas. Five others were missing.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo directed the defense and local government departments to stand by for relief and rescue missions.

Officials said neck-deep flood waters had risen further due to a high tide, forcing the evacuation of 5,000 people in Sultan Kudarat township in southern Shariff Kabunsuan province, near Cotabato city.

Officials ordered the evacuation of more than 117,000 people from areas prone to floods and landslides in central Albay province. But many returned home by midday Saturday after the typhoon missed the area.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council reported flooding, landslides and power outages caused by toppled power pylons in many areas in the central Philippines.