Philippines ferry capsize toll rises to 59

Manila: The toll in the ferry capsize in central Philippines' Leyte province has risen to 59, officials said on Saturday.

The passenger vessel MV Kim Nirvana-B, which capsized on Thursday near the port of Ormoc, was carrying 173 passengers and 16 crew members, Xinhua reported, citing the coast guard.

The ferry was sailing towards the Camotes Islands, some 40 km south-west of Ormoc when it was battered by huge waves and sank just 100 metres from the port of departure.

The captain of the ferry and some of the crewmen, who were among the survivors, are already in the Philippine Coast Guard's custody.

An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.