Friday, March 28, 2008
Boat sinks, 13 missing (1:47 p.m.)
MANILA -- A passenger boat with 14 people on board capsized in Mindanao, leaving only one known survivor - a man who swam several hours to shore, officials said Friday. Most of the missing were children.
Farmer Ranilo Olivo, 26, reached shore late Wednesday. He was able to report the accident to authorities the following morning, said Rhoderick Millana, a disaster relief official from Davao del Sur province.
Millana said the boat overturned in the Sarangani Strait on the southern tip of the Philippines on Wednesday afternoon.
Among the missing were eight children, ages 8 months to 15 years, Millana said.
The passengers from three related families had just attended a kindergarten graduation rite and were on their way home when strong currents cracked the hull of the motorboat, he said.
Millana said authorities were continuing the search even if chances were slim of finding anyone alive. (AP) |
