MANILA, June 14 (UPI) -- Two passengers died and 15 others were missing after a ferry sank off the Philippine's Burias Island early Friday, officials said.
Officials said at least 40 people were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard and local fishermen after the roll-on, roll-off sea vessel sank in fair weather, The Philippines Inquirer reported.
Raffy Alejandro, Regional Office of Civil Defense chief, said the cause of the sinking had yet to be determined. He said the ship's captain, among those rescued, reported the vessel may have been out of balance because of two passenger buses and a truck aboard.
"He said it happened so quickly. It just went down in the darkness," Alejandro said.
The Aroroy-bound ferry had departed from Pioduran and was slightly more than a mile from Burias Island when it sank.
The ferry was carrying 35 passengers and 22 crew members, two passenger buses and a six-wheeler truck, the Inquirer said.
Alejandro said authorities did not believe the ferry was overloaded. He said the ship was licensed to carry more than 200 passengers.
Alejandro said he hoped the death toll wouldn't rise drastically, in part because the captain said most passengers were wearing life jackets.
"We expect many more will be rescued. We were able to respond quickly," he said.
