36 dead as passenger boat capsizes in the Philippines
19 missing, 118 rescued after motorised 'banca' capsizes off Ormoc City port
Ormoc City, Philippines: The Philippine Coast Guard says 36 people have died and 19 are missing after an inter-island ferry capsized in central Philippines.
The motorised passenger banca capsized some 200 meters off Ormoc City port in Leyte at about 12:50 pm on Thursday and 118 people had been rescued, according to an AP report.
Coast Guard spokesman Cmdr. Armand Balilo told the local media that the banca "MB Nervana" was carrying 173 passengers bound for Camotes Island in Cebu province.
Citing initial information reaching his office, Balilo said the banca was making a manoeuvre shortly after undocking, but the sea was rough, causing the boat to capsize.
Meanwhile, a local radio station reported the PCG has started search-and-rescue operations.
