MANILA, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- A boat carrying some 36 passengers capsized in Iloilo-Guimaras Strait in central Philippines at around 4 p.m. on Sunday, leaving 7 people dead and 2 others missing, local coast guard said on Monday.
According to the Iloilo Coast Guard Public Affairs Office, the boat "Tawash" left Iloilo city with 36 passengers and 5 crew members going to Guimaras when it encountered rough sea condition and strong winds in the middle of the sea causing it to capsize. The boat was capsized around 1.2 nautical miles away from the mouth of Iloilo river.
Six victims including one 6-year-old child were pronounced dead-on-arrival when they were brought to the nearest hospitals by rescue teams. Another passenger who was rescued and brought to St. Paul's Hospital died while undergoing medical treatment.
The rescue operations to two other missing passengers was temporarily suspended due to poor visibility and unfavourable weather condition and will resume s soon as weather permits.
A powerful typhoon Koppu (Local name: Lando) made landfall in Northeastern Philippines last Sunday morning.
