Rescuers pulled more bodies from the sea on Friday, raising to 86 the death toll from the capsize of an overloaded boat in the southern Philippines. Officials said at least 70 survivors had also been accounted for. Searches are continuing.
Survivors said about 200 people were onboard the 20-ft. boat when it capsized April 12 off Jolo. The vessel was authorized to carry only cargo and capsized after picking up passengers at sea, coastguard operations officials said.
Survivors told officials that several boats carrying people followed the vessel in the open sea, and passengers boarded.
The vessel was already loaded with cargo, as well as nine crew and 11 merchants accompanying their goods, when it left Jolo, 595 miles south of Manila, for nearby Bongao island.