Death toll in boat sinking rises

Capsized ferry (ABS-CBN News via Twitter)

MANILA — The number of dead bodies found following the sinking of MB Kim Nirvana increased to 61 on Sunday while the survivors remained at 142.

Some of those in the list of fatalities and survivors were not in the official manifest given to the Coast Guard.

The bodies were taken to Pilar town in the Camotes Island, where many of the passengers live, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

A memorial service was, meanwhile, held by the survivors and government officials on Saturday, July 4.

Pilar Mayor Jesus Fernandex Jr. said that the town will provide vehicles to transport the caskets of victims to their hometowns.

The survivors and their families also underwent a stress debriefing with social workers on Sunday.