Toll rises to 25 in Philippines boat tragedy

Toll rises to 25 in Philippines boat tragedy

The death toll in Philippines boat accidents rose to 25, local police said on Sunday.
Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan of Iloilo police said in a report that as of 12:00 hours local time on Sunday, 25 bodies have been recovered, while six remain missing, Xinhua reported.

Pamuspusan added that search was continuing to find the missing people after three ferry boats with a total of 86 passengers and 13 crew members capsized and sank within three hours during a storm on Saturday, while the boats were travelling in the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait.

All boats were buffeted by strong winds and big waves triggered by monsoon rains that affected the main Luzon island and Western Visayas region, it added.  (UNI)