Typhoon hits Taiwan, China

2008-06-25 09:29

San Fernando - The remnants of Typhoon Fengshen bore down on Taiwan and southeast China on Wednesday, after leaving a trail of destruction in the Philippines, where hopes faded of finding more survivors inside a capsized ferry.

With only four dozen survivors found so far, more than 800 passengers and crew members remained missing more than four days after the storm overturned the seven-storey ferry off the central island of Sibuyan on Saturday and killed more than 300 other people around the country.

"There is a slim chance that we can still find survivors (inside the ferry)," said coast guard Lieutenant Commander Rogelio Villanueva. "As the days pass, indeed the chance is getting slimmer."

Three more bodies wearing life vests believed to be from the ship washed up on Wednesday on Burias island, 90km away.

As of Wednesday morning the coast guard had accounted for only 70 dead from the ferry, with three pulled from the capsized vessel.

The storm's death toll on shore hit 327, including 257 in the worst-hit region, with hundreds missing after a rash of floods and landslides.

- AP