The death toll from the sinking of three ferry boats off the coast of central Philippine provinces of Iloilo and Guimaras on Saturday has risen to 27, a state-run disaster agency said on Sunday.

The Iloilo City disaster agency said in a report released late Sunday that six more are still missing after three ferry boats with a total of 86 passengers and crew members capsized and sank within three hours during a storm on Saturday afternoon while travelling the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait.

The updated agency report said the first motorboat, Chi-chi, which carried a total of 46 passengers, sank around 12:15 p.m. local time. And the second boat, Keziah, which sank shortly after the first incident, had 4 crew and no passengers. Of the 46 passengers and crew of Chi-chi, the report said 35 people survived, 10 died and one was missing. All the 4 crew members of the boat Keziah survived.

A third boat, Jenny Vince, with 40 passengers, sank around 3:30 p.m. local time. Of the 40 passengers, the report said 18 survived, 17 died and 5 were still missing.

All boats were buffeted by strong winds and big waves triggered by monsoon rains that affected the main Luzon island and Western Visayas region, authorities said.

It was not clear how the boats were able to sail in the rough waters when all boat trips are supposed to be cancelled due to bad weather.

Monsoon rains have flooded streets in the Philippine capital and provinces on Luzon island and central Philippines, prompting authorities to suspend work in government offices and classes.

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