Typhoon causes ferry to capsize near Philippines
Sunday, 22 Jun 2008 19:56
The ferry left Manila harbour on Friday and was found capsized on Sunday
A fierce typhoon off the coast of the Philippines has overturned a ferry carrying over 700 people and raised fears of hundreds of casualties.
The MV Princess of Stars left Manila port on Friday morning in the knowledge that its route would not be disrupted by Typhoon Fengshen.
But on Saturday the Typhoon changed direction leaving the ship in its wake.
The vessel lost radio contact at 04:30 GMT and was flipped over by the intense winds it faced as it was battered by the severe weather system. It was found on Sunday by rescuers.
Four bodies have been found so far, but hundreds of people are still unaccounted for.
Gloria Arroyo, the country's president, has asked coastguard authorities why the vessel was allowed to leave when there was information about an approaching typhoon.
During a briefing of civil defence and coast guard authorities, she was quoted by the BBC as saying: "Why did you allow it to sail and why was there no ample warning? I want answers."
The weather system has made landfall on some of the southeast
Asian country's islands, causing flooding that has left up to 80 people dead.