The Philippine coast guard said a ferry carrying 251 people capsized in the waters off a remote island Thursday.
A coast guard spokesman says rescue boats and helicopters have been dispatched to an area near Polillo island, about 70 kilometers northeast of Manila. The ferry sank as it was sailing through a rough storm on a trip from the town of Real in Quezon province to Polillo.
The coast guard spokesman said there are reports of casualties from the capsized ship, but they have not been confirmed.
Sea accidents are a common occurrence in the Philippines, with vessels poorly maintained and overcrowded due to lax oversight.