Philippines: At least 15 people have been confirmed dead after a ferry carrying more than 350 passengers and crew members sank in waters off the southern coast of the Philippines, triggering a major search-and-rescue operation.
Authorities said 316 people have been rescued from the MV Trisha Kerstin 3, while at least 28 others remain missing. The vessel, which was transporting both passengers and cargo, was travelling from the southern mainland of Mindanao to Jolo Island when it issued a distress call at around 1:50 am local time.
Search operations are ongoing, with coast guard units, local authorities, and volunteer responders deployed to locate those still unaccounted for. Officials confirmed that an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the sinking.
Philippine Coast Guard spokeswoman Noemie Cayabyab said preliminary accounts from survivors suggest that weather conditions played a role in the incident.
A video shared on Facebook by Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman showed exhausted survivors wrapped in blankets as they disembarked from a rescue boat after hours at sea. Emergency responders in the province said they are struggling to cope with the large number of people needing medical attention.
Basilan emergency responder Ronalyn Perez remarked that, “The challenge really is the number of patients that are coming in. We are short-staffed at the moment.”
The Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,100 islands, relies heavily on ferry transport, particularly in remote regions. However, the country has a long history of maritime accidents involving inter-island vessels. Poor vessel maintenance and overloading have frequently been cited as contributing factors in past disasters.
Despite safety concerns, ferries remain a primary mode of transport for many Filipinos due to their affordability. In May 2023, at least 28 people, including three children, died after a passenger ferry caught fire. A year earlier, a separate fire incident on a high-speed ferry claimed the lives of at least seven people.
As families await news of missing loved ones, authorities have vowed to intensify search efforts and ensure accountability once the investigation into the sinking is complete.
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