Ferry capsizes in Philippines; 36 dead, 19 missing

A ferry carrying 173 people capsized Thursday as it left a central Philippine port in choppy waters, leaving at least 36 dead and 19 others missing, coast guard officials said. They said at least 118 people from the M/B Kim Nirvana were rescued by nearby fishing boats and coast guard personnel or swam to safety off Ormoc city on Leyte Island. Coast guard spokesman Armand Balilo said the wooden outrigger ferry was leaving Ormoc for the Camotes Islands, about 44 kilometers to the south, when it was lashed by strong waves.