Philippine boat accident injures 40, 2 missing

Manila: Revelry turned to tragedy after a boat participating in a local festival hit an overhead electric cable in the Philippines, injuring 40 people and leaving two others missing, radio said.

Many of those injured sustained electric shocks. The boat, in the shape of a pagoda, was one of several in a river parade to celebrate a feast in Pampanga province on Sunday.

"When the floating pagoda crossed the Pampanga River, its metal arch hit a cable of the local electric company," Bajun Lacap, vice-mayor of the nearby town of Masantol, told radio.

At least 100 people were on the boat and several jumped into the river after the cable snagged, causing sparks and small explosions.

The two missing may have drowned, Lacap said.