A passenger ferry with nearly 700 people aboard sank after colliding with a cargo ship on Friday evening near the central city of Cebu, Philippines, not far from shore, killing at least 17 people, the AP reports.
The ferry, MV Thomas Aquinas, began listing and then sank after hitting the cargo vessel, coast guard officer Joy Villegas is cited as saying.
According to the same source Coast Guard has launched rescue operation. Two vessels were dispatched and other nearby vessels are helping to rescue the passengers.
Reuters reported earlier that more than 250 have been rescued.
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World Maritime News Staff, August 16, 2013