MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine coast guard says at least seven people died and 31 others were rescued when three ferry boats separately capsized in bad weather between two central island provinces.
Coast guard spokesman Armand Balilo says it’s not immediately clear if there were passengers or crewmen missing after the inter-island ferries either turned over or sank in rough seas and pounding rain Saturday between Guimaras and Iloilo provinces.
ABS CBN TV network video shows a rescuer carrying a child from a motor boat to an ambulance in an Iloilo pier, where frantic relatives waited.
Forecasters have warned of heavy monsoon rains and thunderstorms amid a brewing storm about 875 kilometers (544 miles) off the country’s eastern coast.
Classes and work have been suspended amid heavy rains and flooding in the capital.
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