MANILA, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Coast Guard said on Saturday that at least seven people died while 13 others were missing after two ferry boats sank at around 12:15 p.m. on Saturday in the central Philippines.
The dead include six women and a man, the coast guard said, adding more than 40 people have been rescued in the accident.
The coast guard said the boats named Che-Che and Keziah were transiting Farola Wharf in Iloilo to Jordan Wharf in Guimaras when they were battered by sudden strong winds and sank.
A total of 51 persons were on both vessels, the initial report showed. Che-Che was carrying 43 passengers and four crew members while motorboat Keziah had no passenger onboard but had four crew members.
Search and rescue operations are underway.
