ID :
10580
Mon, 06/23/2008 - 12:27
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/10580
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TYPHOON DEATH TOLL IN PHLIPPINE RISES TO 73, LIKELY TO SOAR
MANILA, June 23 (Kyodo) - The death toll from a typhoon in the Philippines rose to at least 73 Sunday while operations continued to find survivors after a ferry carrying more than 700 people capsized Saturday in choppy seas, leaving hundreds missing, local
officials said.
Typhoon Fengshen has been buffeting the Philippines for the last few days, causing torrential rains over the weekend that triggered flash flood and landslides in many parts of the country, including the capital.
At least 56 people have been killed and another 100 are missing in the central province of Iloilo alone, its vice governor Rolex Suplico said. Another 17 are confirmed dead in the southern Philippines.
The government on Sunday launched a massive rescue operation to rescue survivors of the ill-fated ferry that left Manila on Friday night for Cebu and capsized Saturday off Sibuyan Island.
Villagers have so far found four bodies, some life jackets and several rubber slippers washed ashore. At least four people survived the sea mishap but more than 700 more are still missing, according to government officials.
Quoting witnesses, town mayor Nanette Tansingco said the ferry was spotted ''upside down with a hole in the hull.''
''There were many children's slippers sighted along the shoreline,'' she told radio DZBB.
A male crew survivor told radio DZBB that giant waves crippled the vessel, causing it to tip onto its side shortly before noontime Saturday.
Waves and poor visibility continue to hamper the rescue operation. ''We cannot send a helicopter to the area due to strong winds and the visibility is poor making it difficult to make an air rescue operation,'' said an air force official.
Owner Sulpicio Lines Inc. said the ferry was carrying 705 passengers and 121 crew members, including about 40 under the age of 18. But the coast guard said the manifesto only lists 626 passengers.
Packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour near its center and usts of up to 150 kph, Typhoon Fengshen lashed Manila and provinces north of Manila on Sunday.
The high winds caused by the typhoon are still affecting southern and central areas and many parts of the main Luzon Island, including Manila.
The typhoon has forced the cancellation of several domestic flights and many areas have experienced power outages.
It caused its most serious damage in the central Philippine provinces of Iloilo and Romblon.***6***
officials said.
Typhoon Fengshen has been buffeting the Philippines for the last few days, causing torrential rains over the weekend that triggered flash flood and landslides in many parts of the country, including the capital.
At least 56 people have been killed and another 100 are missing in the central province of Iloilo alone, its vice governor Rolex Suplico said. Another 17 are confirmed dead in the southern Philippines.
The government on Sunday launched a massive rescue operation to rescue survivors of the ill-fated ferry that left Manila on Friday night for Cebu and capsized Saturday off Sibuyan Island.
Villagers have so far found four bodies, some life jackets and several rubber slippers washed ashore. At least four people survived the sea mishap but more than 700 more are still missing, according to government officials.
Quoting witnesses, town mayor Nanette Tansingco said the ferry was spotted ''upside down with a hole in the hull.''
''There were many children's slippers sighted along the shoreline,'' she told radio DZBB.
A male crew survivor told radio DZBB that giant waves crippled the vessel, causing it to tip onto its side shortly before noontime Saturday.
Waves and poor visibility continue to hamper the rescue operation. ''We cannot send a helicopter to the area due to strong winds and the visibility is poor making it difficult to make an air rescue operation,'' said an air force official.
Owner Sulpicio Lines Inc. said the ferry was carrying 705 passengers and 121 crew members, including about 40 under the age of 18. But the coast guard said the manifesto only lists 626 passengers.
Packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour near its center and usts of up to 150 kph, Typhoon Fengshen lashed Manila and provinces north of Manila on Sunday.
The high winds caused by the typhoon are still affecting southern and central areas and many parts of the main Luzon Island, including Manila.
The typhoon has forced the cancellation of several domestic flights and many areas have experienced power outages.
It caused its most serious damage in the central Philippine provinces of Iloilo and Romblon.***6***
