37 missing after Philippine ferry sinks

Thirty-seven people remain missing after a ferry sank in the central Philippines on Friday, the coastguard said. Of the 57 onboard, 20 have been rescued from the MV Lady of Mount Carmel ferry after it went down near the central island of Burias, coastguard operations officer Ensign Criselda Boroais told AFP. She expressed hope that more of the missing might still be found alive or may have already been rescued. "There are other rescue teams that have still not yet submitted their reports," she said. The cause of the sinking, which happened in the early morning on Friday is still undetermined, she added. The ferry serves the central island of Masbate and carries both cargo and passengers.