Current estimates by the International Red Cross may be severely understated as more than 700 ferry passengers are feared to have been lost in the typhoon-stricken Philippines. Hopes have begun to fade as only 4 survivors have been discovered.
On Saturday, the Philippines became the next victim in what is predicted to be an above average Pacific
typhoon (hurricane) season. Initial observations by regional watch stations predicted that the category 1—with wind gusts of cat. 2 (150 km)—typhoon Fengshen (God of Wind) would cause little damage.
A relative of one of the ferry passengers echoed the general thought about the storm's predicted strength:
"We knew it was signal number 1 (the first stage of typhoon alerts) at the time, but we were not really worried because it was not raining here at all."
Although, current estimates place the death-toll at 155 dues to landslides and floods, contact with the ferry carrying 700+ passengers and crew was lost on Saturday–shortly after the storm moved to typhoon strength. As only 4 survivors have been found, and local authorities predict that actual number of persons aboard the craft to be closer to 800+, there is little hope for finding further survivors. Local authorities and the ferry owners have much to answer for.
As
reported by the BBC, frustration and grief has produced many questions. "Why did you allow it to sail and why was there no ample warning? I want answers," demanded Gloria Arroyo, a local resident.
Efforts to reach survivors on land will no doubt be complicated by resulting investigations into the decisions made by authorities, i.e., their under-evaluation of the storm's strength, poor warnings and allowing the possibly doomed ferry to leave port at all.
