Daijiworld Media Network - Zamboanga

Zamboanga, Jan 26: A ferry carrying over 350 people sank Monday morning in the southern Philippines, leaving at least 15 dead and 28 still missing, the coast guard reported.

The MV Trisha Kerstin 3 issued a distress signal around 1:50 am (1750 GMT Sunday), just over four hours after departing from the Port of Zamboanga City on the southwestern tip of Mindanao. So far, at least 316 passengers have been rescued, coast guard commander Romel Dua.

“A coast guard aircraft is on the way to assist. The Navy and Air Force have also deployed assets,” Dua said. The ferry went down about five kilometres east of Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan province.

Emergency responders said handling the sudden influx of survivors is challenging. “The number of patients coming in is overwhelming, and we are short-staffed,” Basilan emergency responder Ronalyn Perez said, adding that at least 18 survivors had been admitted to a local hospital.

The ferry was en route from Zamboanga City to Jolo Island when the incident occurred. Video released by the Philippine Coast Guard showed survivors being pulled from the water and receiving medical attention, with some shouting for help in the dark.

“The cause of the sinking is still unknown. A marine casualty investigation has been ordered, but our focus is on rescue operations,” Dua said. Survivors are being brought to coast guard stations in Zamboanga and Isabela City. Authorities confirmed that the vessel was not overloaded.

The Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, has a history of ferry disasters. Many inter-island ferries are cheap and poorly regulated, contributing to frequent accidents. In 2023, a fire on a southern Philippines ferry killed more than 30 people.