Philippines boat accident: Death toll rises to 31 after ferries capsize in rough seas

Rescuers say three people still missing as efforts to recover bodies continue

Three boats capsized after being flipped over by sudden wind gusts and powerful waves off two central Philippine provinces (Reuters)

At least 31 people have died after three ferry boats capsized in the Philippines, the country’s coastguard said on Sunday.

Rescuers recovered more bodies in rough seas where the boats capsized after being buffeted by fierce winds and waves off two central Philippine provinces, bringing the death toll to 31 with three still missing.

Coastguard spokesperson Armand Balilo said the dead were mostly passengers of two ferries that flipped over in sudden wind gusts and powerful waves on Saturday off Guimaras and Iloilo provinces.

Sixty-two other passengers and crew were rescued.

A third ferry, which was not carrying any passengers, also capsized in the Iloilo Strait but its five crew survived, Mr Balilo said.

Survivors recounted how the sky suddenly turned dark midway through their trip, followed by strong winds and rain that battered their ferries.

Authorities wondered why a third ferry was allowed to sail about three hours after two other ferries overturned almost at the same time at noon in bad weather.

Forecasters have warned of heavy monsoon rains, thunderstorms and rain-triggered landslides amid a tropical depression more than 1,000km (620 miles) off the country’s eastern coast.

Classes and work were suspended in metropolitan Manila on Friday and Saturday amid heavy rains and flooding, which caused intense traffic jams in low-lying areas of the capital.

About 20 typhoons and storms batter the Philippines each year, making the archipelago that lies on the Pacific typhoon and earthquake belt one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries.

Associated Press