A Panamanian-registered vessel tilted and sank off Eastern Samar in Eastern Visayas, central Philippines early Monday, a local radio reported.
Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported the Philippine Coast Guard started search-and-rescue operations for the vessel since 2 a.m. local time Monday, Xinhua reported.
The 6,835-gross ton ship had two South Koreans and 18 Filipinos on board, according to initial reports reaching Coast Guard headquarters in Manila.
The accident came barely 24 hours after a SuperFerry 9 passenger ship tilted and sank off Zamboanga Sunday.