PHOTOS/VIDEOS: 36 Dead, 19 Missing As Ferry Capsizes

36 people have died, while 19 others are missing after an inter-island ferry carrying 173 passengers capsized in the central Philippines minutes after leaving port, says the Philippine coast guard.

Rescue operations on at the site of the accident in Philippines

Rescue still on

Coast guard spokesman, Armand Balilo, says 118 people have been rescued in Ormoc city on central Leyte island, where the ferry capsized on Thursday, July 2.

rescue team in the water

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The vessel which was said to have set sail from Ormoc City, Leyte Province was bound for Camotes Island, east of Cebu when the disaster occurred.

According to CNN, the Philippine National Red Cross Chairman, Richard Gordon, said he understood the boat overturned because of heavy winds.

Rescue operations

still on the water

Gordon said: “around 50 people have been rescued so far, with Red Cross staff on the pier in Ormoc assisting those who make it back to shore with blankets and meals.”

Secretary-General of the National Red Cross in Manila, Gwendolyn Pang, said they believed at least 34 people had died.

Pang described the vessel as “a commercial ‘pump boat’ or ‘banka’, which is essentially a canoe-style craft with outriggers and powered by a small engine.”

Ferry accident survivor cries

Survivors recover on land

“They’re widely used across the Philippines for transporting people and goods, as well as for fishing,” she added.

Naij.com gathered that rescue operations were ongoing as navy divers are still in the water seeking survivors and the lost.

According to Coast Guard Lieutenant, Christopher Ganet, the vessel which was 27 meters long, was barely 200 meters from the shore line when it capsized.

property lost as ferry capsize

Ganet said: “those who have been rescued are being taken to local hospitals in the area around Ormoc.”

The coast guard said 36 people are dead and 19 missing, while 118 have been rescued after the boat got into trouble in rough waters. he added that 35 of the rescued have been reported to be in critical conditions at the hospital.
There are at least seven rescue boats picking up survivors, who clung to the overturned hull of the Kim Nirvana.