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Two die as Philippine ferry sinks Two die as Philippine ferry sinks
(10 minutes later)
A ferry in the Philippines carrying more than 960 people has sunk, killing at least two people as rescuers mounted a major evacuation, coastguards say. At least two people have died in the Philippines as rescuers evacuated a sinking ferry with more than 960 people on board, coastguards say.
The Superferry 9 was said to be carrying 847 passengers and 117 crew as it sailed off the Zamboanga peninsula.The Superferry 9 was said to be carrying 847 passengers and 117 crew as it sailed off the Zamboanga peninsula.
The vessel began listing and signalled mayday, prompting coastguard, the navy, air force and private boats to help.The vessel began listing and signalled mayday, prompting coastguard, the navy, air force and private boats to help.
A coastguard official told the BBC 589 people had been rescued from life rafts so far and the operation was ongoing. A coastguard official told the BBC 648 people had been rescued from life rafts so far and the operation was ongoing.
"Everybody was able to get off the ferry," the official said."Everybody was able to get off the ferry," the official said.
He said those rescued were being transferred to commercial vessels which had responded to the mayday call.He said those rescued were being transferred to commercial vessels which had responded to the mayday call.
The cause of the listing was unknown, but the weather was reported to be fair at the time of the incident.The cause of the listing was unknown, but the weather was reported to be fair at the time of the incident.
The ferry was sailing from the port of General Santos on Saturday and had been due to arrive in Ilioilo later on Sunday, the Associated Press quoted the ship's owner, Aboitiz Transport System, as saying.The ferry was sailing from the port of General Santos on Saturday and had been due to arrive in Ilioilo later on Sunday, the Associated Press quoted the ship's owner, Aboitiz Transport System, as saying.
Maritime accidents are common in the Philippines because of tropical storms, poor ship maintenance and lax safety enforcement.Maritime accidents are common in the Philippines because of tropical storms, poor ship maintenance and lax safety enforcement.


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