Sinking ferry in Philippines sends 200 people missing

More than 200 people went missing in Philippines after a ferry sank. The coast guard said Saturday that at least 28 people were killed as a result. German news agency DPA reported Saturday that the MV St. Thomas Aquinas ferry collided on Friday with a cargo ship off the port of Talisay City in Cebu province, 580 kilometers south of Manila, on Friday evening, forcing many people on board to jump off the ship. Coast Guard Vice Commandant Rear Admiral Luis Tuason said today that emergency workers rescued 629 survivors from the sea overnight. Divers have also recovered one dead body from the sunken ferry so far, Navy Operations Officer Commander Noel Escalona said. Sea travel is one of the main modes of transportation in the Philippines. Accidents are a common occurrence however due to low safety standings. One of the biggest ferry-related accidents occurred in Philippines in 1987 when 4300 people were killed after a ferry collided with an oil tanker.