At least 36 people died and 19 others were reported missing when a passenger banca — a type of outrigger boat — capsized in the waters off Ormoc city in central Philippines’ Leyte province on Thursday afternoon, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.
Armando Balilo, PCG public affairs chief commander, said the passenger vessel M/B Nivrana-B, carrying 173 people, was only 200 metres away from the shoreline when it encountered rough sea conditions and capsized around noon, Xinhua news agency reported.
The passenger banca was heading to Pilar town in Camotes island.
Balilo said most of the 118 survivors were brought to the hospital in Ormoc City for treatment.
He said rescue teams were searching for those missing.