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All aboard capsized Philippine ferry accounted for; 45 dead

All aboard capsized Philippine ferry accounted for; 45 dead

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

Police and rescuers comfort a crying passenger after being brought to the pier upon his rescue from a sinking passenger ferry Thursday, July 2, 2015 in Ormoc city, central Philippines. Coast Guard officials say the boat capsized minutes after it left a central Philippine port in choppy waters, leaving at least 36 dead and 26 others missing. They said at least 127 people from the M/B Kim Nirvana were rescued by nearby fishing boats and coast guard personnel or swam to safety off Ormoc city on Leyte Island. (AP Photo/John Pilapil)

MANILA: Rescue workers are winding down the search for survivors and bodies aboard a ferry that capsized shortly after departing from a central Philippine port, leaving 45 people dead. Coast guard spokesman Armand Balilo said Friday all 187 passengers and crew members of the M/B Kim Nirvana have been accounted for a day after the vessel overturned in choppy waters off Ormoc city. He says 142 survived and there are no more reports of anyone missing. The boat was preparing to sail on its routine voyage to the Camotes Islands to the south when it capsized. Balilo says they are waiting for the regional coast guard commander to declare an end to the search and rescue operation. A floating crane has pulled the 36-ton wooden motorized outrigger close to Ormoc port.