Boat capsizes in Philippines, at least 14 dead

MANILA, Nov 26 (Reuters) Fourteen people were killed and an unknown number were missing after a boat with a capacity for 150 passengers sank off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, officials said today.

The wooden-hulled vessel capsized on Saturday an hour after leaving Surigao City en route to a nearby island famous for surfing. Fishing boats rushed to the area and rescued 58 people.

''The weather was fine when it left,'' said Blance Gobenchiong, a regional director of the office of civil defence. ''We were told by some of the survivors that they encountered big waves.'' Gobenchiong said the boat's operator could not find a list of passengers.

''We have no idea how many people were actually on the boat,'' he said, adding that many people jump on vessels after inspection by the coast guard.

Ferries of all descriptions ply the waters between the Philippines' 7,000-plus islands and safety standards are often lax. Overcrowding is a common problem.

The mayor of Surigao City, citing survivors, told local radio that 16 people were still missing, including a mayor from the region. He said most of the passengers were high school pupils returning from a press briefing for student journalists.

One survivor told local radio that the boat's captain lost control when large waves snapped one of the vessel's outriggers. People started jumping as water flooded the deck.

REUTERS BDP HT0908