Cyclone in Philippines

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Philippines Typhoon (Cyclone)




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Typhoon Fengshen has been lashing much of the Philippines, causing widespread flooding.




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The capital, Manila, has not been spared the wrath of the storm that has killed many people.




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With winds of about 170km/h (106mph), the storm caused widespread disruption.




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Cental and southern areas have been badly hit - here a street is seen completely submerged in the business district in Iloilo city.




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Fears have been growing about the fate of about 700 people who were on a ferry that capsized near Sibuyan island on Saturday.








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In the capital, workers have been out trying to restore some kind of normality.






Philippines ferry hit by typhoon
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There are conflicting reports about the number of passengers on board

Fears are growing for more than 700 people on a ferry which officials say has capsized in the central Philippines in the wake of a typhoon.
Rescuers are scouring the area but their efforts are being hampered by heavy seas and gale force winds.
Officials on Sibuyan island say four bodies have been recovered. There are unconfirmed reports of three survivors. Typhoon Fengshen has caused flash floods and landslides, killing at least 69 people elsewhere in the Philippines.
The Philippine President, Gloria Arroyo, has demanded an explanation as to why the ferry was allowed to leave port on Friday despite warnings that a typhoon was about to hit.

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TIMELINE OF EVENTS
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Ferry leaves Manila late on Friday
626 passengers and 121 crew on board
Engines failed Saturday afternoon
Radio contact lost at 1230 local time
Rescuers reach ship on Sunday afternoon

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"Why did you allow it to sail and why was there no ample warning? I want answers," she told civil defence and coast guard authorities during a briefing on the accident.
The 23,824-tonne ferry, the Princess of the Stars, has a passenger capacity of 1,992.
There is some confusion over the number of people on board.
The BBC's Michael Barker, in the Philippines, says that according to officials the ferry was carrying 626 passengers and 121 crew. However, local reports put the figure on board as high as 820.
The vessel was en route to Cebu from Manila, and according to its owners, Sulpicio Lines, contact was lost at about 1230 (0430 GMT) on Saturday, Reuters reported.


 
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