Sinking Ferry Leaves Families Heartbroken

Families in the Philippines have been mourning the loss of their loved ones after a ferry sank, killing at least 34 people.

The ferry, carrying 870 passengers, collided with a cargo ship late on Friday, ripping a hole in the ferry's hull.

Eyewitnesses said the collision knocked out the ferry's power, causing it to list before rapidly sinking as people screamed, leaving at least 50 people dead and 68 others missing.

The 40-year-old ferry was approaching Cebu when it collided with the departing cargo ship, the Sulpicio Express 7, at about 9 pm (1300 GMT). It sank in minutes.

The owners of the ferry involved in Friday's accident said it was carrying 723 passengers, 118 crew and 104 20-ft containers. It had an authorised capacity of 1,010 passengers and crew and 160 containers.

Frequent storms, badly maintained vessels and weak enforcement of safety regulations have been blamed for many past accidents at sea in the Philippines.

For more information: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/philippines/10250616/Families-mourn-Philippines-ferry-sinking-victims.html