Foreign Office updates Philippines advice
The Foreign Office is advising all holidaymakers to avoid travel on Philippine ferries following the recent disaster killing around 52 people.
Divers and patrol boats were continuing to search for 68 other people still missing after the St Thomas Aquinas ferry collided with a cargo ship on Friday night and sank near the central city of Cebu.
Navy and coastguard divers have been struggling against strong currents to enter the wreckage of the ferry, which is about 30 metres under water.
The Foreign and Commonwealth office updated its advice for the Philippines to say: "Avoid travel on ferries if possible. Ferries are often overloaded, lack necessary lifesaving equipment, are not adequately maintained and have incomplete passenger manifests. Storms can develop quickly.
"Major accidents involving ferries, with large loss of life, occurred in 2008 and 2009. Two large ferries sunk in 2013, the most recent off the coast of Cebu City in August 2013. These incidents caused a substantial number of casualties and injuries."
Diane
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