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| Philippines ferry carrying 251 capsizes | Philippines ferry carrying 251 capsizes |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A ferry carrying 251 people has capsized in stormy seas off the east coast of the Philippines, the coastguard says. | A ferry carrying 251 people has capsized in stormy seas off the east coast of the Philippines, the coastguard says. |
| A spokesman said a number of casualties had been reported. Huge waves are said to have caused the boat to overturn. | A spokesman said a number of casualties had been reported. Huge waves are said to have caused the boat to overturn. |
| Reports say local boats have already rescued some passengers on board the vessel near the island of Polillo. | Reports say local boats have already rescued some passengers on board the vessel near the island of Polillo. |
| Rescue boats and helicopters sent to the area have been hampered by bad weather, officials say. | Rescue boats and helicopters sent to the area have been hampered by bad weather, officials say. |
| At least four bodies have been recovered, while many passengers have been saved, local media report. | |
| However, coastguard spokesman Armand Balilo said they were "still validating" the number of casualties. | |
| "We believe the weather was a big factor" in the accident, he said, adding that the ferry had capacity for 280 people and had not been overloaded. | |
| A local emergency services official, Juanito Diaz, said initial reports suggested the ferry, which has not been named, "sustained a big hole that caused it to capsize". | A local emergency services official, Juanito Diaz, said initial reports suggested the ferry, which has not been named, "sustained a big hole that caused it to capsize". |
| Boat accidents are relatively common in the Philippines, which frequently experiences storms. | Boat accidents are relatively common in the Philippines, which frequently experiences storms. |
| Tropical Storm Tembin is forecast to hit land early on Friday and people travelling home for Christmas had been warned to do so earlier than usual. | Tropical Storm Tembin is forecast to hit land early on Friday and people travelling home for Christmas had been warned to do so earlier than usual. |
| Do you know anyone on board? If it is safe for you to do so, please get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Do you know anyone on board? If it is safe for you to do so, please get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or comment here: | Or comment here: |