A passenger boat overloaded with 55 people and heavy cargo has capsized in the southern Philippines, leaving at least five dead and one missing.
Coast guard spokesman William Arquero said today it was unclear if more are missing because the unregistered vessel left Jolo island for nearby Tapul island without inspection and clearance from authorities. Also on board were 100 bags of cement and assorted cargo.
Arquero says 14 survivors rescued by three passing boats were brought to a hospital while an unknown number of survivors were taken to Tapul.
He says that according to survivors, the boat left Jolo at 9 a.M. (local time) yesterday and capsized some two hours later. The coast guard learned of the incident last evening.
