The Philippines' Coast Guard is currently verifying the number of casualties of a ferry carrying 251 passengers which sunk in the waters off Quezon Province on Thursday morning, December 21.
According to Coast Guard spokesperson Commander Armand Balilo, they had received a report as early as 11:12 a.m. of MV Mercraft 3 that had capsized in "at the vicinity waters between Dinahican Quezon and Polilo Island."
At least 4 people have died and 7 others are missing after the Philippine ferry sank in stormy conditions. Navy vessels, fishing boats and coastguard boats have pulled about 240 people alive from the rough seas, some of them with injuries.
The 206-tonne ferry boat could carry 286 people and was not overcrowded.
After nightfall rescue efforts have been halted temporarily due to bad weather. Many of the rescued people have been taken to government emergency hall located in Dinahican village, where officials brought food, water, medicine and clothes.