Dozens rescued after ferry capsizes

Rescuers plucked 59 people from the waters while another three swam to shore after the vessel took on water and capsized. #MVSiargaoPrincess #CoastGuardrescue

This handout photo taken and released on 7 November 2019 by the Philippine Coast Guard shows a child from the ill-fated MV Siargao Princess ferry after being rescued from the waters off Sibunga Cebu (Photo by Handout / Philippine coast Guard/AFP)

MANILA – Local authorities rescued dozens of people on Thursday after a ferry sank in rough seas off Cebu, but search teams were still working to confirm all aboard were accounted for, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

Rescuers plucked 59 people from waters off the central island of Cebu, while another three swam to shore after the vessel took on water and capsized.

The manifest showed 60 crew and passengers aboard, the coast guard said, however it is not clear if the list was complete.

Manifests in the Philippines are often not a full accounting because passengers may stow away or captains can exceed the official capacity of their vessel.

“Rescue operations are ongoing. We cannot stop until we are satisfied that everyone is safe and has been accounted for,” coast guard spokesman Lieutenant Michael Encina told AFP.

“The boat has sunk. We haven’t been able to find it,” he added.

The vessel, Siargao Princess, was plying a route near Cebu when its crew radioed for help, saying the boat was in trouble.

The Philippines, an archipelago where millions rely on rickety ferries for cheap transport between islands, has regular boat accidents.