A ferry with more than 330 passengers sank early Monday near a southern island Philippineskilling at least 18 people, officials said.
The M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 was traveling from the port of Zamboanga City to Jolo Island when it was “submerged” around 1:50 a.m. local time, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said. in a statement on Facebook.
“The vessel was carrying 332 passengers and 27 crew members when the maritime incident occurred approximately 2.75 nautical miles northeast of Baluk-Baluk Island, Basilan,” the statement continued.
“Based on the initial investigation, the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 departed the Zamboanga City Port at approximately 9:20 p.m. on January 25, 2026, operating within its maximum authorized capacity of 352 passengers.”
The Coast Guard said a “distress call” was received from the PCG marshal on board and a PCG vessel was deployed from Zamboanga City.
Search and rescue efforts rescued at least 316 passengers, while crew members recovered 18 bodies, officials said.
Coast Guard and Navy ships, along with a surveillance plane, an Air Force Black Hawk helicopter and fleets of fishing boats, conducted search and rescue operations for about two dozen people believed to be missing off the coast of Basilan, Coast Guard Commander Romel Dua told The Associated Press.
“There were two coast guard security officers on board and they were the first to call and alert us to deploy rescue vessels,” Dua said, adding that the two security marshals survived.
Authorities say they are investigating the causes of the sinking. Coast Guard officials said the cargo and passenger ferry apparently encountered technical problems and sank after midnight.
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“According to the testimony of some survivors, the waters in the area were rough at that time,” said Noémie Cayabyab, spokesperson for the PCG. said in an interview.
Survivors can be seen leaving the lifeboats with some people on stretchers. in a shared post by Governor Basilan Mujv Hataman on Facebook.
“We are with the Isabela City Government and different agencies in rescue and relief operations to ensure the safety, health and well-being of passengers and crew,” Hataman wrote. “We continue to coordinate for additional assistance – medical care, temporary housing and other necessary support. »
“Amidst the fear and intimidation, we want to remind you that you are not alone. The government is there, it will continue to act and care for every affected family,” he added.
In another post, Hataman shared footage of the rescue and wrote: “Our condolences to all those who died in this tragedy. For those who have not yet been found, we will make sure to continue to help find them.”
Global News contacted Global Affairs Canada (GAC), which said “no Canadians were affected by the Philippines ferry sinking.”
“GAC expresses its condolences to the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragic event. Canadian officials are prepared to provide consular assistance and are contacting local authorities to gather more information,” they added in a statement.
Accidents at sea are common in the Philippine archipelago due to frequent storms, poorly maintained ships, overcrowding and uneven enforcement of safety rules, particularly in remote provinces.
A Philippine inter-island ferry with 258 passengers and crew, including travelers on Christmas vacation, sunk in December 2017 after being hit by strong winds and large waves off the country’s northeast, leaving at least four people dead and 88 others missing, officials said.
More than 160 others were plucked alive from the rough seas by navy personnel, coast guard personnel and a flotilla of fishing boats after the M/V Mercraft 3 sank in the Polillo Strait between the town of Infanta in Quezon province and the ferry’s destination, Polillo Island, coast guard spokesman Armand Balilo said.
Coast guard boats, navy ships and fishing boats rescued 166 people, many of them floating in rough seas, Balilo said, adding that the ferry could carry 286 people and was apparently not overcrowded.
On December 20, 1987, the ferry Dona Paz sank in the Philippines after colliding with a tanker truck, killing more than 4,300 people in the world’s worst peacetime maritime disaster.
— With files from The Associated Press
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