The overladen ferry caught fire and sank after colliding with an oil tanker 110 miles south of the capital, Manila. Although the MV Doña Paz was officially carrying 1,583 people on board, interviews with the few survivors suggest that more than double that number were actually on board. The final death toll was never confirmed, but estimates range as high as 4,375. The Philippines, an archipelago nation spread over more than 7,000 islands, has a spotty record on maritime safety.
Unsafe at Sea: Asia’s History of Deadly Ferry Disasters
The sinking of the Costa Concordia raises critical questions about maritime safety. The issue is particularly important in parts of South and East Asia, where millions of people rely on often poorly maintained ferries to get around. They brave bad weather and overcrowding, usually because there is no other option. Here are six examples of Asian sea-voyages gone wrong through the decades.