A Comoran ferry carrying 113 people sank near Madagascar early Sunday during a tropical cyclone, local media quoted survivors as saying on Thursday.

The four survivors from the Samson said the vessel went under the sea at 3 am local time about 150 km off the western coast of Madagascar, an African island country on the Indian Ocean.

The Samson's passengers included two French, 31 Madagascan and 80 Comoran. It is not clear if there are any other survivors in the capsizing.

However, Transport Minister and Government Spokesman Houmed Msaidie told national radio late Wednesday there is no hard evidence yet to prove that the vessel has indeed sunk.

The Samson set off from the Comoran capital of Moroni Friday evening, and left the Comoran island of Anjouan for the northwest coast of Madagascar on Saturday.

Madagascar and France have sent planes and warships to search for possible survivors.

The cyclone Gafilo whirled through Madagascar from east to west on Sunday, killing at least 43, leaving 42 missing and about 6,000 homeless.

(Xinhua News Agency March 12, 2004)