At least 36 dead after ferry capsizes in Philippines

At least 36 dead after ferry capsizes in Philippines

At least 36 people died Thursday after a ferry with 173 passengers aboard capsized in the Philippines, officials said.

The Philippine Star said the M/B Kim Nirvana overturned soon after midday local time, shortly after leaving the central port of Ormoc City on the island of Leyte. It was headed forCamotes Island on the island province of Cebu, about 27 miles to the south.

Coast guard spokesman Armand Balilo said the ferry had been lashed by strong waves. At least 118 passengers were rescued by nearby fishing boats and coast guard personnel or swam to safety off Ormoc, the Associated Press reported.

It reported that at least 19 people were missing. Survivors told the news agency by cellphone that the bow of the ferry suddenly rose from the water before the vessel flipped over on one side and began to sink.

Ciriaco Tolibao from Ormoc's disaster risk reduction and management office told AFP that divers were searching for survivors. "We're scouring the ship for more survivors who may be trapped inside the hull," he said. "We hope to finish the rescue before dark and before it starts to rain."