A sea vessel carrying at least 45 passengers capsized on Monday in the southern Philippines, a police official said. Caraga Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Reynaldo Rafal said the ship, M/B BenJun heading for the Island town of Basilisa in the province of Dinagat Islands, left at the port of Surigao City around 1:00 p.m. The boat capsized after being hit by big waves when it reached Hikdop Island. The Philippine Coast Guard has launched a search and rescue operation for the missing passengers.