18 crew lost after storm

COASTGUARDS in the Philippines were yesterday searching for 18 missing crewmen from a cargo ship that sank at the height of Typhoon Nock-Ten.

The storm struck the country on Christmas Day, spoiling holiday celebrations in Asia’s largest Catholic nation.

A coastguard spokesman said 14 other crewmen had been rescued and one died after the M/V Starlite Atlantic sank off Mabini town in Batangas province.

Workers said the accused recruited staff, was always there and paid the wages