DHAKA: At least 36 people were killed after a passenger ferry with close to 200 people on board capsized in rough waters in the central Philippines on Thursday.

The Kim Nirvana was heading from the central city of Ormoc to the island of Camotes when it capsized.

Rescue boats picked up dozens of survivors who clung to the overturned hull of the vessel, one kilometer from Ormoc port on Leyte island, Ciriaco Tolibao from the city’s disaster risk reduction and management office told the media, reports Hurriyet Daily News.

Divers were scouring the murky waters searching for survivors from the inside of the ship, he said.

At least 53 survivors were brought to the hospital while more than two dozen others walked home after the mishap, he said.

Tolibao could not immediately say how many others were missing but a report on Manila radio said at least 21 people were unaccounted for.

The ship, which had 173 passengers and 16 crew on its manifest, overturned just 30 minutes after leaving the port after it encountered big waves, Tolibao said.

BDST: 1721 HRS, JULY 02, 2015
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