ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Sept. 20, 2012) – A wooden boat capsized off the southern Philippine province of Tawi-Tawi and Filipino authorities on Thursday said as many as 7 people had drowned and that 5 passengers are unaccounted for.
It said huge waves and strong winds battered the boat before the vessel overturned in the middle of the sea. At least 15 people had been rescued by fishermen nearby, but efforts were continuing to find those that are missing or probably dead.
The boat was heading to the capital town of Bongao when the tragedy struck on Tuesday. It was not immediately known whether women or children are among the dead and missing.
Authorities did not say if the boat was registered at the local Marina or if the Coast Guard allowed the vessel to sail despite the bad weather.
Days of heavy rains had caused flash floods in some areas in the southern region. (Mindanao Examiner)
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