Philippine ferry tragedy death toll rises to 75

MANILA - Four more bodies were recovered from a maritime tragedy in the central Philippine province of Cebu, bringing the death toll to 75, the Philippine Coast Guard said Thursday.

Authorities were still searching for 45 other people who were missing from the collision of passenger ferry MV St. Thomas Aquinas and cargo ship MV Sulpicio Express 7.

The number of survivors stood at 750.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said that over one million pesos ($22,85) worth of assistance was provided by the government, non-government organizations and private groups to the survivors and the families of those who perished and remained missing.

Oil spill from the ill-fated ferry continued to affect the cities of Lapu-Lapu and Talisay and municipality of Cordova.