Ferry Mishap Claims Eight Lives

Eight people were killed when a ferry sank in the northern Philippines. Colonel Delfin Bravo, police operations officer in Tuguegarao, said 50 passengers survived by swimming to shore or were saved by rescuers after last Wednesday's accident. Rescuers were still searching for survivors along the Chico river, 360 km (225 miles) north of Manila. Officials said the ferry might have been buffeted by big waves and strong winds due to incessant rains in the northern Philippines over the past few days. Police said the base of the improvised ferry was made up of four boats, which were tied together to carry a wooden platform.