Typhoon Lashes Philippines, Ferry Capsizes
Hundreds Of Passengers Feared Dead; Death Toll From Storm Put At 163
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A relative mourns at a body which was retrieved by police following typhoon Fengshen's fury Sunday, June 22, 2008 in Iloilo city in central Philippines. The typhoon lashed across the Philippines for a second day Sunday with the Philippine Red Cross saying the death toll has risen to at least 155, with the storm submerging entire communities in torrential downpours and setting off landslides. (AP PHOTO)
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Volunteers use a fireman's hose to rescue residents trapped in a sudden flooding at the height of typhoon Fengshen before dawn Sunday, June 22, 2008 in Iloilo city in central Philippines. (AP PHOTO)
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Residents wade through a flooded street in Manila following heavy rains brought about by Typhoon Fengshen on Sunday, June 22, 2008 in Manila. The storm lashed across the Philippines for a second day Sunday, submerging entire communities and capsizing a passenger ferry carrying more than 800 passengers and crew. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
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In this handout photo released by the Philippine Navy shown is a portion of the sunken MV Princess of the Stars off Sibuyan island, central Philippines on Sunday June 22, 2008. Typhoon Fengshen lashed the Philippines leaving more than 160 people dead as it submerged entire communities and capsized a passenger ferry carrying more than 700 passengers and crew. (AP PHOTO)
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Anxious relatives examine a map outside the Sulpicio Lines terminal in suburban Manila, Sunday, June 22, 2008 as they await news on the ill-fated passenger ferry MV Princess of Stars. Typhoon Fengshen capsized a passenger ferry carrying more than 700 passengers and crew. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
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The death toll in flood-swollen communities rose to 163, police said, but most of the 747 passengers and crew of the ferry that ran aground then tipped over in stormy seas Saturday were still unaccounted for.
The 23,824-ton Princess of Stars was traveling from Manila to Cebu when it ran aground a few miles (kilometers) off central Sibuyan island then capsized, said Mayor Nanette Tansingco of Sibuyan's San Fernando.
Coast guard frogmen who managed to get to the stricken ship got no response when they rapped on the hull with metal instruments late Sunday, then had to give up for the night due to strong waves. They hoped to get inside on Monday, possibly with U.S. assistance requested by the Philippine Red Cross.
There were no details what kind of assistance was being discussed.
Vice Adm. Wilfredo Tamayo, the coast guard commander, said rescuers may have to bore a hole on the ship to allow access for divers.
Tamayo said 28 more survivors were found in Mulanay township in eastern Quezon province late Sunday - about 80 miles (130 kilometers) from Sibuyan. Ten others struggled to shore earlier.
Manila's DZBB radio said the 28 people, including four crewmen and three women, drifted at sea for more than 24 hours wearing life jackets.
Officials were checking reports that a large number of survivors might have reached one nearby island, coast guard spokesman Cmdr. Antonio Cuasito said.
Survivor Reynato Lanoria, a janitor on the ship, estimated about 100 people could have escaped the vessel, but thought the others were trapped inside. Lanoria said he was on the top deck when a crew member ordered people to put on life vests around 11:30 a.m. Saturday. About 30 minutes later, the ship began tilting so fast that elderly people and children fell on the slippery deck.
After the storm stymied earlier attempts to reach the ship and kept aircraft at bay, a rescue vessel battled huge waves and strong winds to approach Sunday, more than 24 hours after the ferry lost radio contact.
"They're scouring the area. They're studying the direction of the waves to determine where survivors may have drifted," coast guard spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo said.
The typhoon lashed the central Philippines early Saturday, setting off landslides and floods, knocking out power and blowing off roofs.
In the province of Iloilo, Gov. Neil Tupaz said 59 people drowned, with another 40 missing. "Almost all the towns are covered by water. It's like an ocean," Tupaz said.
Overall, hundreds were listed missing.
Packing sustained winds of 74 miles (120 kilometers) per hour and gusts of up to 93 mph (150 kph), the typhoon shifted course Sunday to the northwest and battered Manila at dawn, dumping heavy rain on the capital. Major streets were flooded, and numerous traffic lights were out.
Anthony Golez, deputy chief of the Office of Civil Defense, said the storm took an erratic path and never slowed down when it hit land with huge deluges of rain.
The typhoon-prone Philippines was the scene of the world's worst peacetime maritime disaster when the ferry Dona Paz sank in 1987, killing more than 4,341 people.
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Posted by noseonurface
Thanks for the response. Now I see how you TRUE christians work. Rather than correct (if needed), use god says and that makes it right? Funny parables, as far as understanding, guess I''d have to say my god will judge me, and if I am in fact the fool your god says I am, guess I''ll be the one to answer for that. I refuse to invoke the name of god to slander anyone.
But again thanks for the response. By the way, this is only my second publish on this subject. (all over this blog)Don''t usually answer useless dribble, but this one was humorus enough to have some fun with. Gotta go stack BBs'' or something else important. Have a good day.
Posted by NoPacifism
Again, your judgment has returned to you with full measure, says Jesus.
I thought I smelled a phony.
Oh, I was correct in assessing your Christian education - "0"
You have judged yourself, hypocrite.
Posted by NoPacifism
Indeed, "get the log out of your eye first," hypotcrite! What makes you think of offered pride? Because I corrected you? Again, you need some self-examination.
You have yet to answer my questions .... do you go to Church. Or are you one those so called "christian" who think you don''t need church. Perhaps, this explains your lack of understanding and contradictions.
You are twisting the Bible words. Are you saying you know the Bible better than I. You don''t sound like you know what you are talking about. St. Paul, in scripture, directed that you seek other Christians to instructions. Don''t you go to church? Or, are you one of those cults who think you know everything.
Bible good book, kinda like a Steven King novel.
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Posted by bozworth4 at 07:17 PM : Jun 22, 2008
Your ignorance is splattered all over this blog! Don''t criticize what you so obviously don''t understand. You''re like an ant looking at an elephant, and instead of being humbled by the greatness before you, you arrogantly curse it. God says you''re a fool.
Bible good book, kinda like a Steven King novel.
God''s realm is SPIRITUAL and EVERLASTING. The invisable realm cannot be touched by this world.
You are taking the Bible out of context. Jesus did not come to save this world, but he came with a SWORD. Jesus knows who his children are, the rest of the chaf shall be thown in the lake of fire.
Not being a student of Theology or a devoted Christian, its hard to explain the wisdom of God''s plan. But, what your witnessing (you are dead to) is all to be expected.
History and the power of word/ record has revealed all to imminient the nature of the flesh. Indeed, the time of Revelation is at hand.
Posted by NoPacifism
Take care child of God, the deciples of Christ hid in caves for long periods before they started their mission. Ultimately, they all died of execution except for John who was exiled to Pathos were he wrote the Revelation.
Posted by mcv57 at 06:01 PM : Jun 22, 2008
Disasters happen. Typhoons are nothing compared to the asteroid impact of 65 million years ago that wiped out the dinosaurs and many species of plants and animals. It''s not mentioned in the Bible and God has nothing to do with it. Christians, please do not alarm the population and yourselves with concerns regarding some kind of divine retribution.
The U.S. and its soldiers are the Roman Empire slandering the innocent. The UN soldiers are raping little 7 year old girls. ARE YOU BLIND.
Indeed, you are the lambs out for the slander. Do not throw yourself into the fire, but flee from the abomination.
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