More than 800 passengers and crew are feared to have died when a ferry capsized during a storm off the Philippines.The sinking of the Princess of the Stars on Saturday was the worst disaster in a weekend of tragedy for the Philippines, as Typhoon Fengshen tore across the archipeligo, bringing floods and gusts of up to 100 miles an hour. Authorities said 227 islanders were dead or missing.
The ferry, with 845 people on board including 55 children, was washed onto rocks after its engines failed as it tried to shelter from the storm near land.
The captain "gave the orders to abandon ship shortly after it listed," Reynato Lanorio, a crew member, said from his hospital bed. "It seemed like everything happened in 15 minutes. Next thing we knew, the ship had gone under."
"Many of us managed to get on the lifeboats, but I don't know if they survived," he said. Four people were washed off his raft by giant waves as he clung on for his life.
Passenger Jesus Gica was another survivor. "There were many of us who jumped overboard, but we were separated because of the big waves," he said. "The others were also able to board the life rafts, but it was useless because the strong winds flipped them over."
The ship's bows were visible above the waves a mile and a half off the central Filipino island of Sibuyan. Besides four survivors, people living along the coast found the bodies of six victims, including a man and a woman who had bound themselves together.
"There were many plastic slippers of children also found floating on the shore," said Nanette Tansingco, mayor of the coastal town of San Fernando.
Pope Benedict XVI told pilgrims at St Peter's Square in Rome yesterday that he will offer a "special prayer to God" for those on board. The Philippines is a devoutly Catholic country.
The storm made landfall and spun slowly across the country, battering the capital Manila. It is now heading for Taiwan.
The worst hit area was Iloilo, in the central Philippines. "Almost all the towns are covered by water. Iloilo is like an ocean. This is the worst disaster we have had in our history," the governor, Neil Tupaz, said.
In the neighbouring district, Capiz, 2000 homes were destroyed in the provincial capital. People sought refuge from the rising waters on roofs and in the braches of trees.
Many rural areas are cut off by blocked roads and severed electricity and telephone lines. Authorities said the death toll is likely to rise.
Relatives of the missing passengers gathered at the offices of Sulpicio Lines, the company that operated the ferry, in Manila and at its destination, Cebu. "I hope my family are still alive," said Isadora Salinas, weeping. Her sister, 16-year-old nephew and 9-year old niece were aboard.
"I'm very worried. I need to know what happened to my family," said Felino Farionin, his voice cracking. His wife, son and four in-laws were on the boat.
President Gloria Arroyo upbraided maritime officials in a conference call broadcast live on local radio. "Why did you allow it to sail and why was there no ample warning?" she demanded. "I want answers."
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