Philippines Typhoon
- Filed under: Uncategorized
- Date: Jun 22,2008
At least 229 people are confirmed dead and at least six missing after Typhoon Fengshen ravaged the central and southern Philippines, Red Cross and civil defence officials said today.
The toll does not include those dead or missing from a ferry that sank in the central Philippines with about 747 people aboard. Four people have been confirmed dead and there are four survivors from that accident.
The central province of Philippines has suffered the heaviest losses after being hit by the typhoon yesterday, with 101 dead, Philippine Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon said.
Other fatalities were recorded in the neighbouring provinces of Romblon, Cotabato, Antique and Capiz, Gordon added.
Fears are growing for more than 700 people on board a ferry which has capsized in the central Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Fengshen.
A rescue ship that managed to reach the vessel more than 24 hours after it lost radio contact reported no sign of life.
There are only four known survivors - one told local media that passengers had just minutes to abandon ship.
The Red Cross estimates some 155 people have died across the country in floods and landslides caused by the storm.
The vessel left Manila on Friday en route to Cebu, and according to its owners, Sulpicio Lines, contact was lost at about 1230 (0430 GMT) on Saturday.
MV Princess of Stars had been cleared to leave the port of Manilla on Friday morning, before the typhoon changed direction and began to head in the ship’s direction.
The captain attempted to take the ship into more sheltered waters but the engine failed and it was left stranded, according to the coastguard. Radio contact was then lost.
A police speedboat that has reached the wreck site reported that it had overturned, and there was a large hole in the centre of the ship.
However rescuers have been unable to approach because of the rough seas.
President Gloria Arroyo, who is traveling to the US for an official visit, has criticised the authorities for failing to stop the vessel from sailing in the treacherous conditions.
Typhoon Fengshen has claimed at least 80 other lives across the country, submerging entire communities.
Officials said a ferry was left adrift with over 700 passengers and crew, while in the south, ten people drowned and five were missing after a river burst its banks in Maguindanao province.
In Cotabato City, a man and a child were buried in a landslide at a rubbish dump, police said. Five other people also drowned.
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