MANILA, Philippines – Coast guard officials say about 100 people have been rescued and two bodies recovered from a ferry that sank in rough seas after encountering steering trouble in the central Philippines.
Coast guard Capt. Joseph Coyme said search and rescue efforts by air and sea would continue because it was uncertain how many passengers and crewmembers were on the M/V Maharlika II. The ferry sank late Saturday after listing and being lashed by strong wind and waves whipped up by a storm north of the ferry’s path.
Around 100 survivors have been rescued by two foreign ships and another ferry deployed for rescue operations by the Maharlika’s owner. Coyme said that figure is way beyond the 58 passengers and 26 crewmembers that the Maharlika’s skipper reported in the distress call.