The ferry “Thomas Aquinas” was struck and sunk by a cargo ship as it was entering the port of Cebu after leaving from Nasipit in Agusan del Sur province on Friday.

The ferry, reported to be carrying 692 passengers was hit by the cargo ship, Sulpicio Express 7, as the cargo ship was leaving the port at 9pm Manila time on Friday night about 1.2 miles from shore. Within 30 minutes, the vessel sank in the dark, nightime waters.

More than 500 of the passengers have been rescued by local fishing boats, coast guard and naval vessels. At least 17 bodies have been retrieved from the waters as well. The body count is sure to go up as witnesses aboard the vessel reported that some of the passengers were trapped aboard.

The captain ordered the passengers and crew to abandon ship as the crew of the ferry handed out life jackets and the passengers jumped into the water as the vessel listed and took on water.