AFP, Manila :
The death toll after a ferry capsized in the central Philippines rose to 41 today when rescuers recovered three more bodies, but bad weather was hampering the search for another 12 people still missing, the coast guard and police said.
The motorised, wooden-hulled MBCA Kim-Nirvana was carrying 187 passengers and crew when it rolled onto its side and overturned minutes after leaving the port of Ormoc City on Thursday. There were 134 survivors.
High waves and strong currents today forced divers to postpone efforts to search the sea floor off Ormoc but rubber boats continued to scour the surface for survivors, Philippine National Police Director Asher Dolina said.
Part of the upturned ferry’s hull was still visible above the surface of the water today, a Reuters witness said.
Search and rescue operations continued through the night, with coast guard personnel reinforced by a Philippine navy ship and two air force planes.
The death toll after a ferry capsized in the central Philippines rose to 41 today when rescuers recovered three more bodies, but bad weather was hampering the search for another 12 people still missing, the coast guard and police said.
The motorised, wooden-hulled MBCA Kim-Nirvana was carrying 187 passengers and crew when it rolled onto its side and overturned minutes after leaving the port of Ormoc City on Thursday. There were 134 survivors.
High waves and strong currents today forced divers to postpone efforts to search the sea floor off Ormoc but rubber boats continued to scour the surface for survivors, Philippine National Police Director Asher Dolina said.
Part of the upturned ferry’s hull was still visible above the surface of the water today, a Reuters witness said.
Search and rescue operations continued through the night, with coast guard personnel reinforced by a Philippine navy ship and two air force planes.
