19 dead as typhoon tips ferry, triggers landslides - PI

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AP , VIRAC, PHILIPPINES
Thursday, May 20, 2004,Page 5

A powerful typhoon triggered landslides, destroyed houses and capsized a ferry, killing at least 19 people and leaving hundreds homeless in the Philippines, officials said yesterday as the storm blew toward Japan.

Typhoon Nida, packing winds of 150kph and gusts of 185kph, headed away from the northern Philippines after ravaging several eastern provinces.

At least eight people were killed and several others were reported missing after the wooden-hulled M/B St. Martin ferry overturned late Tuesday when its bamboo outrigger broke in choppy waters off the central Camotes islands, coast guard chief Vice Admiral Arturo Gosingan said. It was carrying 168 passengers and crew.

Nearby fishing boats rescued some passengers and coast guard divers scoured the sea for others. Authorities were trying to determine how many people were missing, Gosingan said.

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