At least 15 dead and hundreds rescued after ferry sinks in southern Philippines

Coast guard officials said authorities had managed to rescue at least 316 of those onboard the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, but 28 remain missing.

Monday 26 January 2026 06:32, UK

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At least 15 people have died after a ferry sank in the southern Philippines overnight.

Coast guard officials said that the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 was sailing to southern Jolo island in Sulu province from the port city of Zamboanga when it apparently encountered technical problems.

The inter-island vessel sank near Baluk-Baluk in Basilan province just after midnight local time, and was carrying 332 passengers and 27 crew members.

Coast Guard Commander Romel Dua, of Southern Mindanao District, told Reuters news agency that authorities had managed to rescue at least 316 passengers, but added 28 remain missing.

He added an investigation was under way to determine the cause of the incident.

Military aircraft and vessels were deployed to assist with rescue efforts.

Mujiv Hataman, Basilan governor, told DZBB Radio that most survivors were doing well, but several older passengers needed emergency medical care.

Seafaring accidents are common in the Philippines because of frequent storms, badly maintained vessels, overcrowding and patchy enforcement of safety regulations, especially in remote provinces.

At least 15 dead and hundreds rescued after ferry sinks in southern Philippines

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