MANILA: The death toll from a ferry that sank off Basilan province in the southern Philippines rose to 40, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Sunday (Feb 1).
Search and rescue teams recovered three more bodies, and one additional victim, a six-month-old baby who had initially been omitted from the official count, was added to the tally, according to Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao.
Search and rescue operations are continuing nearly a week after the ferry sank in waters north-east of Baluk-Baluk Island while en route from Zamboanga City to Jolo town in Sulu province.
At least 316 people were rescued, according to the PCG, although authorities are still working to determine the exact number of passengers on board.
The Maritime Industry Authority told a radio interview that it will investigate survivors' claims of insufficient life vests and discrepancies in the passenger manifest. - Xinhua
