More than 200 feared dead after ferry crash in Philippines

A ferry crash off the Philippines has left at least 26 people dead and over 270 missing after it sank.

The ferry collided with a cargo ship near the city of Cebu and had around 800 passengers on board.

According to the BBC, the MV Thomas Aquinas was sailing into the port at Cebu and the cargo ship was travelling the other way at about 9pm.

Hundreds of passengers jumped into the ocean as the ship began to sink.

Passenger Jerwin Agudong told radio station DZBB: "It seems some were not able to get out. I pity the children. We saw dead bodies on the side, and some being rescued.

"One of the persons who jumped with us hit his head on metal. He is shaking and he is bloodied."

Sky News reports that an 11-month-old baby was among those saved.

According to the Independent, over 600 passengers and crew have been rescued.

Coast guard deputy chief Rear Admiral Luis Tuason said at least four bodies were discovered in the underwater wreck and "there could be more bodies there, but there were ropes inside that our divers could get entangled in."

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