WASHINGTON, June 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush expressed Tuesday condolences to Philippines President Gloria Arroyo and said the United States will provide aid to the country battered by typhoon.
"I expressed our deep condolences to those who suffered as a result of the typhoon," Bush said after his talks with Arroyo in the White House.
The United States will move aircraft carried USS Ronald Reagan to the Philippines to help with the assistance, along with other U.S. Navy assets, Bush said.
"We are happy to do it, we want to help our friends in a time of need," Bush said.
A passenger vessel capsized off the Philippines' central province of Romblon at the height of Typhoon Fengshen which lashed the archipelago from east to west over the weekend.
There were 862 people on board, but only 48 passengers managed to survive the disaster, most of the others are feared dead.
Map showing San Fernando within the province of Romblon.
Divers from the combined teams of the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard were able to penetrate the interior of the submerged sections of the MV Princess of the Stars.

Spokesman for the Navy confirmed fears that there were several passengers of the ill-fated passenger ferry who were trapped when the ferry listed and over turned at around noon of June 22.

Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo of the Navy said that there could have been survivors initially, passengers who were trapped within a pocket of air but the rescue team were only able to reach and enter the ferry, almost three days since it capsized.

The length of time for any survivor trapped inside the capsized ship to have breathable air would be limited.

Four bodies were retrieved and the team with the help of specialists and salvage teams from the USNS Stockham of the United States Navy, supported by the resources of the US carrier group USS Ronald Reagan will return on Wednesday morning to attempt to stabilize the ship and retrieve more bodies.

Philippine authorities are concerned that boring a hole or disturbing the ferry's present location could cause the ship to slide down into deeper waters or cause an environmental damage to the area due to the fuel the ship carries.

The ferry capsized some 500 meters off the coast of the town of San Fernando in Romblon province.