Ferry Carrying Over 350 People Sinks in Southern Philippines, At Least 15 Dead

At least 15 people have been confirmed dead after a passenger ferry carrying more than 350 people capsized off the southern Philippine province of Basilan, officials said on Monday.

The accident occurred shortly after midnight as the ferry, MV Trisha Kerstin 3, was travelling from Zamboanga City to Jolo Island in Sulu. According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the vessel departed Zamboanga on Sunday night and issued a distress signal at around 1:50 am, nearly four hours into its journey.

The ferry, which had 332 passengers listed on record along with 27 crew members, sank in calm weather approximately one nautical mile from the coastal village of Baluk-baluk in Basilan. Survivors were initially brought ashore in the nearby island communities before being transferred to safer locations.

Coast Guard Commander Romel Dua, speaking to AFP, said that at least 316 people have been rescued, while 28 passengers remain unaccounted for. Search and rescue operations are continuing, with assistance from the Philippine Navy and Air Force. A coast guard aircraft has also been deployed to support ongoing efforts.

Emergency responders reported that survivors requiring medical care were taken to hospitals in Isabela City, the provincial capital of Basilan. Health workers described the situation as challenging due to the sudden influx of patients and limited medical staff.

Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman shared footage on social media showing survivors arriving at the port, some wrapped in thermal blankets while others were carried on stretchers.

Authorities said the cause of the sinking is still under investigation. Commander Dua stated that the ferry had been cleared for departure by the coast guard and there were no immediate signs of overloading.

Maritime accidents remain a persistent concern in the Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands, where sea travel is common. Such incidents are often linked to rough weather, ageing vessels, overcrowding, and inconsistent enforcement of safety regulations, particularly in remote regions.

The tragedy follows a series of recent maritime incidents in the country. Just days earlier, a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel sank off Mindanao, killing two sailors and leaving several others missing. Another private boat also capsized off the Davao region last week, resulting in multiple fatalities.

The Philippines has witnessed some of the world’s deadliest maritime disasters, including the 1987 sinking of the ferry Doña Paz, which claimed more than 4,300 lives after colliding with a fuel tanker.