35 Filipino fishermen rescued, 261 still missing

Residents search for victims of Tuesday’s flash flood caused by Typhoon Bopha at New Bataan township, Compostela Valley in southern Philippines Thursday Dec. 6, 2012. The powerful typhoon that washed away emergency shelters, a military camp and possibly entire families in the southern Philippines has killed hundreds of people with nearly 400 missing, authorities said Thursday. AP/Bullit Marquez

MANILA, Philippines— Philippine authorities have rescued 35 fishermen and are searching for 261 others still missing more than a week after a powerful typhoon killed hundreds of people in the southern Philippines.

Regional military spokesman Capt. Severino David said Wednesday the Indonesian government sent a ship to join the search for the fishermen, who may have been swept toward the Celebes Sea from the Pacific Ocean off Mindanao Island.

Indonesia has also allowed Philippine search planes to enter its airspace.

The Philippine coast guard says the tuna fishermen were about 120 nautical miles (222 kilometers) east of Davao Oriental province as early as October. Typhoon “Pablo’s” (international name Bopha) top winds of 210 kilometers (131 miles) per hour apparently made it difficult for them to return to shore. The storm killed at least 740 people.