Phillipine Ferry w/700 people collides, sinks, 17 dead

At least 17 people have died and more than 500 people rescued after a ferry carrying about 700 people collided with a cargo ship in the Philippines.

The ferry, MV Thomas Aquinas, began sinking after hitting the cargo vessel on Friday evening near the central city of Cebu, officials said.

Coastguard and naval vessels were joined by local fishing boats in the rescue effort, which is continuing.

The incident took place around 2km (1.2 miles) from the shore.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23729996