Officials in the Philippines refused to give up hope of rescuing some of the 800 people missing after a ferry capsized during Typhoon Fengshen, even as high seas stalled efforts to get inside the vessel today.

Hundreds of passengers were feared trapped and may have died after their ferry capsized in the Philippines during Typhoon Fengshen, said two survivors who struggled ashore today.

There are fears that the death toll from Typhoon Fengshen would leap dramatically today after reports that more than 700 people are missing after a ferry capsized.