Two killed: Ferry with 1,000 capsizes in Philippines

PHILIPPINES: A huge passenger ferry carrying nearly 1,000 people on board capsized in southern Philippines on Sunday. Two were confirmed dead while the rescuers continue the search of the missing.

Gilbert Teodoro, chairman of the National Disaster Coordinating Council, told local media that the Superferry 9 had sunk hours after the captain ordered abandon the ship and requested emergency rescue.

Earlier the coast guard authorities said two bodies have been found while at least 600 people were transferred to stand-by cargo vessels.

Teodoro, also defense chief, said navy ships and helicopters have reached the accident site off the Zamboanga peninsular coast.

Superferry 9 sailed out of the southern city General Santos Saturday night and is expected reach central city of Iloilo late Sunday. It requested rescue at around 3:30 a.m. local time (0730 GMT).

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Marine-time tragedies are a commonplace in the Philippine archipelago.

A ferry carrying 862 on board sank in a typhoon in central Philippines last summer. More than 800 people were killed or remain missing.

Manila, Sunday, Xinhua