24 killed in Philippines ship collision

Manila : At least 24 people have been killed in a collision of two ships off the Philippine province of Cebu, the Philippine Coast Guard said Saturday.

At least 217 passengers are still missing, while 629 others were rescued, Xinhua reported.

Passenger vessel MV St. Thomas Aquianas and cargo ship Sulpicio Express 7 collided off Lawis Ledge, Talisay city shortly after 9 p.m. Friday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the passenger vessel, which came from the southern city of Butuan and was bound for Cebu city, sank immediately after the incident.

However, all the 38 crew members of the cargo vessel bound for Davao city were safe.