38 ferry survivors reach shore, hundreds still missing

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-23  |     ONLINE EDITION

THIRTY-EIGHT survivors from a capsized ferry made it to shore but hundreds more were feared dead after a powerful typhoon cut a violent path through the Philippines, triggering desperate rescue efforts today.

The death toll from floods across the country rose to 163, police said.

Most of the 747 passengers and crew of the ferry that capsized in stormy seas on Saturday were still missing, police added.

The 23,824-ton Princess of Stars was traveling from Manila to Cebu when it ran aground a few kilometers off central Sibuyan island then capsized, said Mayor Nanette Tansingco of Sibuyan's San Fernando.

Coast guard frogmen who managed to get to the stricken ship got no response when they rapped on the hull with metal instruments late yesterday, then had to give up for the night due to strong waves. They hoped to get inside today, possibly with US assistance requested by the Philippine Red Cross.

There were no details on what kind of assistance was being discussed.

Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, the coast guard commander, said rescuers may have to bore a hole on the ship to allow access for divers.

Tamayo said 28 more survivors were found in Mulanay township in eastern Quezon province late yesterday – about 130 kilometers from Sibuyan. Ten others struggled to shore earlier.

Manila's DZBB radio said the 28 people, including four crewmen and three women, drifted at sea for more than 24 hours wearing life jackets.

Officials were checking reports that a large number of survivors might have reached one nearby island, coast guard spokesman Cmdr. Antonio Cuasito said.