MANILA Philippines Typhoon death toll hits 80; ferry carrying 740 capsizes

Typhoon Fengshen lashed the Philippines today for a second day leaving at least 80 people dead, but the death toll could rise significantly after a passenger ferry capsized carrying more than 740 passengers and crew.

Villagers found four bodies, children's slippers and life jackets that washed ashore today near the stranded MV Princess of Stars.

The death toll included 59 people who drowned in the central province of Iloilo, with another 40 missing, Gov. Neil Tupaz said.

The four dead washed ashore, including a man and a woman who bound themselves together, were believed to have been on the vessel, which initially ran aground a few miles off central Sibuyan island Saturday, then capsized, said Mayor Nanette Tansingco of San Fernando on Sibuyan island.

Rescue vessels aborted an initial attempt Saturday to get to the 23,824-ton ferry, but efforts resumed in stormy weather today, coast guard chief Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said.