Philippines: ferry carrying 700 crashes into cargo ship

A ferry carrying 700 passengers has collided with a cargo ship in the Philippines, according to the coastguard. A coastguard official said at least 17 people were confirmed dead and 525 had been rescued after the MV Thomas Aquinas listed and began sinking after colliding with the Sulpicio Express cargo vessel. The final death toll is not yet known, with survivors saying they saw people trapped and dead bodies at the scene - the crash happened in the dark, with many people asleep. Two rescue vessels and other boats in the area have been saving people from the sea.