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Philippine vessels collide at sea Philippine vessels collide at sea
(10 minutes later)
At least 27 people are missing after a passenger ferry collided with a fishing boat in the Philippines, officials say.At least 27 people are missing after a passenger ferry collided with a fishing boat in the Philippines, officials say.
The wooden-hulled ferry and the fishing boat were between them carrying at least 73 people when they collided in Manila Bay in the early hours.The wooden-hulled ferry and the fishing boat were between them carrying at least 73 people when they collided in Manila Bay in the early hours.
Coastguard spokesman Commander Armando Balilo told local media 46 people had been rescued from the waters.Coastguard spokesman Commander Armando Balilo told local media 46 people had been rescued from the waters.
There were no reports of bad weather conditions in the area and the cause of the collision is not yet clear.There were no reports of bad weather conditions in the area and the cause of the collision is not yet clear.
It comes as thousands of people in the Philippines travel home for the Christmas period.It comes as thousands of people in the Philippines travel home for the Christmas period.
"These are small, wooden vessels," Mr Balilo was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency."These are small, wooden vessels," Mr Balilo was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
He said rescue teams had been dispatched and boats in the area had also been asked to help hunt for survivors, reported AFP. Both of the vessels have sunk.
Mr Balilo said rescue teams had been dispatched and boats in the area had also been asked to help hunt for survivors, reported AFP.
Maritime accidents are common in the Philippine archipelago because of tropical weather, badly maintained passenger boats and weak enforcement of safety regulations.Maritime accidents are common in the Philippine archipelago because of tropical weather, badly maintained passenger boats and weak enforcement of safety regulations.
In June 2008, hundreds of people were killed when a 23,000-tonne ferry - Princess of the Stars - capsized during a typhoon off the central island of Sibuyan.
In December 1987, more than 4,000 people died when the Dona Paz ferry collided with a tanker in the world's worst maritime disaster in peacetime.