240 rescued in Quezon sea mishap, missing passengers down to seven

Two hundred forty out of 251 passengers have been rescued in waters off Quezon province after a ferry capsized and sank on Thursday.

Four died in the mishap but the rescue operations brought down the number of missing passengers to seven.

According to the latest report of the Office of Civil Defense, 218 of those rescued were brought to the Dinahican port in Infanta while 22 were taken to the Real port.

The casualties—two females and two males—were brought to Claro M. Recto District Hospital.

Search and rescue operation is still ongoing while authorities are also investigating the official cause of the incident.

Rescue operations were hampered due to heavy rain and huge waves caused by a tropical storm affecting the southern part of the country.

PCG spokesman Armand Balilo earlier said a distress call had been issued before noon after the ferry capsized about 9 miles off Real, Quezon.

"There is a big possibility the accident was caused by the bad weather," Balilo said. —NB, GMA News