800 feared dead as ferry capsizes in typhoon which has devastated the Phillippines

Rescue teams last night tried to reach the stricken MV Princess of Stars but their efforts were hampered by high winds and heavy rain.

Although four people are confirmed dead, most of the 620 passengers and 121 crew are missing.

Capsized: The rear of the MV Princess of Stars passenger ferry sticks out of the water off the coast of Sibuyan island

Fury: Heidi Laurel confronts security officers blocking the office doors of Sulpicio Lines as she tries to get information from the ferry officials

Yesterday, one of four known survivors claimed those on board were given only 30 minutes to evacuate.

The survivor, who was identified only as Jesse, said: ‘Many of us jumped because the waves were so huge and the rains so heavy.

‘There was just one announcement, about 30 minutes before the ship tilted to its side.

‘Immediately after I jumped, the ship tilted, older people were left on the ship.’

Rescuers fear hundreds have died in the disaster which has left the country decimated

Coastguards said the ship’s captain was ordered on Saturday to seek shelter from the high winds in waters two miles off Sibuyan Island in the centre of the archipelago, but the engine failed.

The Red Cross said the confirmed death toll from Typhoon Fengshen – the sixth to hit the country this year – stands at 155.

Desperate journey: A bus struggles to get through floodwater in Manila