By KUNA,
Tokyo : Rescue divers on Tuesday recovered at least two bodies inside a ferry that sank Saturday off the coast of the central Philippine province of Romblon with about 850 people on board, the Manila-based newspaper reported.
One of the two recovered bodies appeared to be that of an officer of the M/V Princess of the Stars, said Commodore Luis Tuason, chief of the Metro Manila Coast Guard, according to the Inquirer newspaper.
Tuason could not ascertain whether or not there were more bodies inside the ship, the daily said. “The divers have not searched all of the compartments of the 24,000-ton ship,” he said.
Asked if there was still hope for survivors inside the ship, Tuason said, “The chances are slim, but we are not saying that it’s not possible.” Sulpicio Lines ferry MV Princess of the Star, carrying 849 passengers and crew, left Manila on Friday night for Cebu and was overturned on Saturday by strong waves caused by Typhoon Fengshen, the newspaper said.
At least 57 survivors and 20 fatalities of the ship have been recovered by Monday. A US Navy ship is also helping in the operations, the daily added.
The incident was the fourth sea accident involving the ferry company Sulpicio Lines since December 1987, when its Dona Paz ferry collided with an oil tanker and sank, killing more than 4,000 people.
Typhoon Fengshen buffeted the country for several days, causing torrential rain over the weekend that triggered flash floods and landslides in many parts of the country, including Manila.