HUNDREDS FEARED DEAD IN TYPHOON DISASTER - 6/22/2008





Associated Press

Hundreds of people are feared dead after a ferry capsized during a typhoon in the Philippines. [Notes:still of ship]The ferry was carrying nearly 750 passengers and crew members. [Notes:map] It was travelling from Manila to Cebu when it suddenly tilted and turned belly up in just 30 minutes. [Notes:back to video of survivors]Only ten survivors are known to have made it to shore. (SOT: ARMAN BALILLO/ PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD SPOKESPERSON)WE HEARD THAT THERE ARE ALREADY CADAVERS FLOATING ON THE AREA AS REPORTED BY THE LOCAL RESIDENTS AND THE BOAT ALREADY CAPSIZED.Coast Guard divers who made it to the overturned vessel got no response when they banged on the hull with metal instruments.(NATS IN TAGALOG)A relative of a missing passenger says the ship should not have sailed, knowing the typhoon was coming. [Notes:still of typhoon]Tyhpoon Fengshen moved into the Philippines with sustained winds of 74-miles an hour and gusts up to 93 miles an hour. At least 137 people were confirmed dead nationwide. [Notes:video of rain]The storm dumped heavy rain on the capital Manila, flooding major streets and knocking out traffic lights. It also hampered efforts to reach the ferry. Officials were checking reports that a large number of survivors had made it to a nearby island. ___ ___, The Associated Press.