Ferry Carrying 238 Passengers & Crew Sinks Off Philippines

An inter-island ferry carrying 238 passengers and crew has sunk off the north-eastern Philippines after being battered by fierce winds and high seas.

 
At least four people have died and 88 others are missing, officials said. More than 160 were rescued by coastguard ships and fishermen.

Coastguard spokesman Armand Balilo said the rescue was launched after the Mercraft 3, which had 251 passengers and seven crew on board, began sinking between Quezon province’s Infanta town and the ferry’s destination of Polillo island.

Typhoons and storms, poorly maintained ferries and ships, and law enforcement issues have often been blamed for past sea disasters in the Philippine archipelago.