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| Philippine ferry sinking kills 39 | Philippine ferry sinking kills 39 |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A ferry has capsized during a freak storm in the central Philippines, leaving 39 people dead, police say. | A ferry has capsized during a freak storm in the central Philippines, leaving 39 people dead, police say. |
| The inter-island ferry carrying over 100 commuters overturned in strong winds off the island of Masbate, south-east of the capital, Manila. | The inter-island ferry carrying over 100 commuters overturned in strong winds off the island of Masbate, south-east of the capital, Manila. |
| Officials say 76 people have been rescued, and a search is under way between Masbate and Luzon islands. | Officials say 76 people have been rescued, and a search is under way between Masbate and Luzon islands. |
| The ferry had been sailing for about 20 minutes in clear weather when a sudden gust caused it to keel over. | The ferry had been sailing for about 20 minutes in clear weather when a sudden gust caused it to keel over. |
| "The Don Dexter Kathleen capsized due to a freak accident," AFP news agency quoted senior police superintendent Ruben Sindac as saying. "It was hit by a high wind despite fair weather and calm waters." | "The Don Dexter Kathleen capsized due to a freak accident," AFP news agency quoted senior police superintendent Ruben Sindac as saying. "It was hit by a high wind despite fair weather and calm waters." |
| The ferry had 119 passengers and crew on its manifest, but Superintendent Sindac said he would not rule out the possibility that more people were on board. | The ferry had 119 passengers and crew on its manifest, but Superintendent Sindac said he would not rule out the possibility that more people were on board. |
| The bodies of the victims were taken to Dimasalang town, about five kilometres (three miles) from the accident site, where wailing people began looking for missing loved ones. | |
| Maritime accidents are common in the Philippine archipelago due to tropical weather, badly maintained passenger boats and weak enforcement of safety regulations. | Maritime accidents are common in the Philippine archipelago due to tropical weather, badly maintained passenger boats and weak enforcement of safety regulations. |
| Hundreds of people were killed in June, when a 23,000 tonne ferry - Princess of the Stars - capsized during a typhoon off the central island of Sibuyan. | |
| Only 57 passengers and crew of the 850 people aboard survived the accident, making it the worst maritime disaster in the Philippines for 20 years. |