Cargo ship sinks in the Philippines

Manila: At least 14 crew members were missing after a Philippine ship carrying 800 tonnes of cement sank off a western island, the coast guard said on Tuesday.

Spokesman Lieutenant Armand Balilo sid the coast guard and navy are searching for survivors around the area where the cargo ship reported its last position.

They would also check for any oil spillage that could damage coral reefs off Palawan island.

The search began after fishermen found four survivors on Sunday, when a typhoon battered the Philippines.

Coast guard authorities said that hours before it was due to arrive on September 28, the ship's captain had reported that bad weather would cause a delay. The ship never arrived.