Fatal ferry mishap

MANILA: Four people were killed and seven missing after a Philippine ferry with 251 people on board capsized during bad weather yesterday near the capital, Manila, disaster officials and a coastguard spokesperson said.

Accidents involving boats sailing between the many islands of the Philippines are common. Vessels are often overloaded but the coastguard said that was not the case yesterday and the ferry had the capacity to carry 286 people.

A total of 240 people were rescued from the sea by fishermen and rescue boats sent out by the coastguard.