Philippine ferry was overloaded when it flipped over, leaving 27 dead, official says
The Philippine coast guard chief says the skipper of a ferry that flipped over in a lake in an accident that killed 27 passengers decided to sail despite knowing that his boat was filled beyond capacity MANILA, Philippines -- The skipper of a Philippine ferry which flipped over in a lake in an accident that killed 27 passengers decided to sail despite knowing that his boat was filled beyond capacity, the coast guard chief said Friday. Forty-three passengers were rescued after the M/B Aya Express capsized in Laguna de Bay on Thursday shortly after leaving Binangonan town southeast of Manila in what should have been a 30-minute cruise to nearby Talim Island, officials said. Coast guard, police and other government personnel continued to search the lake Friday but said they had no idea whether anyone was still missing because of uncertainties over the number of passengers on the ferry . No more survivors or bodies were found. Two coast guard inspectors allowed the ferry to sail after b...