Survivor found 24 hours after ferry sank

A woman was rescued today from the sea off the southern Philippines, more than 24 hours after a passenger ferry she was on sank, the navy said. "She's alive. She was rescued by airforce para-jumpers," regional navy commander Rear Admiral Alexander Pama announced in this southern port city. Admiral Pama identified the woman as Lita Casunglon, who is believed to be one of two people previously listed as missing from the Superferry 9, which sank off the coast of Zamboanga peninsula early Sunday.

The ferry was carrying 968 people when it sank, and the coast guard had earlier said 957 had so far been rescued, with nine fatalities. Ms Casunglon has undergone preliminary medical checks and was in good condition despite her harrowing ordeal, Admiral Pama said. He said he was not able to immediately give further details as to the circumstances surrounding her rescue. *AFP