Fireman and members of a rescue group help an elderly woman out of the Jaro river near Iloilo city, central Philippines June 21, 2008. Typhoon Fengshen killed at least 17 people in floods and landslides in the Philippines and left a ferry adrift with over 700 passengers and crew on Saturday. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    MANILA, June 22 (Xinhua) -- A ferry carrying over 700 passengers capsized near Romblon province in central Philippines in typhoon "Fengshen" Saturday night, killing at least 20 people, local media reported Sunday.

    A local town mayor told news network ABS-CBN that some dozens of bodies have been recovered. But the report has not yet been confirmed.

    The national news network GMA News quoted coast guard official Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo as saying the ship "Princess Star" was "dead in the water" after its engine failed near the central Philippine island of Sibuyan.

Philippine Navy rubber boat is pictured leaving a house after rescuing stranded residents at a farming village near Zamboanga City, southern Philippines June 21, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Tamayo said he expected rescue ships to reach the area within two to three hours.

    He said his team will validate the information "in the midst of various reports" of the ship mishap.

    Local officials described the ferry as "upside down with a hole in the middle", which began sinking Saturday night after leaving the Manila port for Cebu Friday night.

    The incident took place in the waters of Sibuyan island of Romblon, the mayor of San Fernando city in Romblon told local radio dzMM.

    A local report quoted officials as saying the road to the shore near the ferry was "almost impassible" because of damage done by "Fengshen", and a local police chief was rushing to the shore on a motorcycle.