MANILA: The death toll in the overcrowded passenger boat that capsized on Laguna de Bay off Rizal province on Thursday has climbed to 26, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Friday.
The PCG said the boat, which has a maximum capacity of 42, was carrying up to 70 people. The passengers were not wearing a life vest, reported Xinhua.
Search and retrieval operations continued on Friday morning, said the PCG.
The boat was travelling to Talim island in Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the Philippines, from Binangonan town when the accident happened.
The accident occurred while Typhoon Doksuri was blowing away from the Philippines, triggering floods and landslides.
The PCG said strong winds buffeted the motorboat approximately 45 metres away from Binangonan town, triggering panic among the passengers.
Survivors interviewed by local media said the passengers rushed to one side of the boat when the wind and rain poured, causing the boat to tilt on one side, trapping many passengers under the boat. – BERNAMA-XINHUA
