At least 18 people dead as Philippines ferry with 350 onboard sinks

Rescuers save at least 316 after inter-island ferry sank en route from city of Zamboanga to southern Jolo island

A ferry with more than 350 people onboard sank early on Monday near an island in the southern Philippines, killing at least 18 people, officials said. Rescuers saved hundreds more, while a fleet of coastguard and naval ships searched for those still missing.

Coastguard officials said the cargo and passenger ferry apparently encountered technical problems and sank after midnight. The steel-hulled vessel abruptly tilted to one side and took on water, hurling people into the sea in the darkness, according to a rescued passenger who lost his six-month-old baby.