MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- At least 38 people have survived the capsizing of a ferry during a typhoon in the Philippines.

But with more than 740 people aboard, it's feared the death toll could be high. Coast guard frogmen who reached the ship got no response when they rapped on the hull. They had to give up because of strong waves.

Other rescuers are scouring the area for survivors who may have drifted off.

The Philippine president scolded coast guard officials during a live teleconference for letting the ferry leave Manila late Friday despite the bad weather.

The toll from the ferry could dramatically increase the 163 known deaths from the typhoon. Many of them are blamed on flooding and landslides.