Ferry Overturns in the Philippines

A ferry capsized in the Philippines, leaving at least 35 people dead.

The ferry also known as the Motorbanca Kim Nirvana-B overturned shortly after leaving the port of Ormoc City, according to The Philippine Star.

Since the accident 134 people were rescued either by local fishing boats and the coast guard, others were able to swim their way to safety reported USA Today.

Armand Balilo, a spokesman for the coast guard said the ferry was struck by very strong waves and it wasn’t clear exactly why the vessel overturned. According to AFP, Balilo confirmed that some of the crew, as well as the captain had been rescued and are currently in custody pending an investigation.

Balilo also told AFP that a possibility for the accident was the ferry’s outriggers, “appeared to have broken,” in the accident, the crew may have committed a navigational error.

Divers continued to look for more survivors which may have been stuck inside the ferry when it overturned, they hoped to recover anyone before it got too dark and started to rain.

USA Today reported that one of the passengers was, Mary Jane Drake, which was traveling with her mother and husband. Drake told the Associated Press that the ferry overtuned very swiftly due to the strong waves, “There was no time to jump.”

Drake and her family were able to swim to safety from underneath the vessel.

Mary Jane Drake, who was traveling with her mother and American husband, told the AP that the ferry was pulling slowly out of the port when it suddenly flipped to the left in strong waves and overturned. She said that she, her mother and husband swam to safety from underneath the vessel