In a phone interview on ANC, Ciriaco Tolibao of Ormoc City Disaster Office said the death toll in the incident has risen to 47 after they were able to drag the vessel closer to the shore.
They also have divers from different agencies helping in the rescue operations.
"We have divers from Cebu, from the [Philippine] Navy, from Coast Guard and Ormoc rescue," Tolibao said.
According to Tolibao, official records reveal there are 191 passengers on board MB Kim Nirvana. They have already rescued 140 passengers, and 47 other have been declared dead. Rescuers are only looking for four more bodies.
The official also said they are not hoping to find more survivors.
"I think, wala na, Ma'am. Retrieval na lang itong ginagawa ng divers natin," Tolibao added.
Survivors earlier said the ferry appeared to turn sharply to the right and was hit by a large wave before it overturned after leaving port in Leyte province, south of the capital, Manila.
"We were given life vests but we were not able to wear them before the ferry sank," said Rhe-An Garciano, a survivor.
Panicked passengers crowded the right side of the ferry, causing it to tilt slowly before capsizing, Balilo said.
"The ferry was carrying cement and rice but it didn't appear to be overloaded," Balilo said. With a report from Reuters
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
