A ferry carrying 189 passengers and 16 crew members capsized minutes after leaving the port of Ormoc in the Philippines.

Reuters is reporting that at least 36 people have been killed after heavy waves and heavy winds helped capsized the boat. 134 passengers have survive the ordeal but 17 passengers are unaccounted for, according to CNN. Three American passengers were saved from the boat.

The boat, which was 89 meters long, was only more than 650 feet away from the shore when it capsized. People in the Philippines rely on ferry services to get around its thousands of islands, but vessels are often poorly maintained, leading to scores of deaths at sea every year. The main culprit of the accidents are overcrowding.

Richard Gordon, the chair of the Red Cross, said that between 50 to 70 people had been rescued from the boat, which was visible from the shore. According to BBC News, Lt. James Reyes stated that navy divers are helping in the search and rescue missions. They are equipped with flashlights to guide the night time search.

The rescue mission may be postponed because it is monsoon season in the Philippines.

The cause of the ferry sinking is not known but vegetable trader Reynante Manza, who was on the boat, stated to BBC: "The ferry rolled while attempting to turn around swiftly. I am alive because I jumped overboard as soon as it happened."

The Philippine Coast Guard said that the ferry left the port too quickly and people stood up, causing the boat to be off-balance. Gordon thought the high winds and rough seas were to blame.

To those who made it back to shore, Red Cross personnel were on hand giving out meals and blankets to the survivors.

The rescue mission is expected to resume today.