Ferry Sinking off Basilan: Death Toll Reaches 43, Search Continues
The death toll from the sinking of the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 off the coast of Basilan in the Southern Philippines has risen to 43 as of today, . The tragedy, which occurred last week, continues to draw ongoing search and rescue operations led by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Approximately 359 people were onboard the ferry when it sank. As of , at least 316-317 individuals have been rescued, according to reports. However, 27 people remain missing.
The discovery of three more bodies on brought the confirmed fatalities to 40, before rising to 43. Among those confirmed dead are a six-month-old baby and an elderly man, highlighting the devastating impact of the incident.
The PCG has located the sunken vessel and continues to work to recover remaining passengers and assess the wreckage. The ongoing search and rescue operations are a coordinated effort involving multiple agencies. BRP Melchora Aquino has been deployed to intensify the search.
The M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferry, sank in the waters off Pilas Island, Basilan on , approximately 2.75 nautical miles northeast of Baluk-Baluk Island.
As of , 31 fatalities had been recovered. The remains of the 31 fatalities have all been recovered as of posting time. The two newly recovered bodies will be turned over to the Basilan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) in Zamboanga City for identification.
“Pagkarating sa Zamboanga City, sasailalim sa retrieval procedure ang mga labi, sa pangunguna ng PDRRMO upang matukoy ang kanilang pagkakakilanlan at mapagbigay-alam sa kanilang mga pamilya,” the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said in a statement on Facebook. (Upon arrival in Zamboanga City, the PDRRMO will lead the retrieval procedure on the remains to confirm their identities and inform the families of the deceased.)
On , 11 bodies were found by residents, fishermen, relatives, and Coast Guard personnel off Baluk-Baluk Island. At least nine of those bodies had been claimed by their kin, Basilan authorities said.
The PCG has raised the possibility that some passengers boarded the vessel even despite not being included in the ship manifesto, citing the ship manifesto on the figures. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges of maritime safety in the Philippines and has prompted renewed calls for stricter safety regulations and enforcement for passenger vessels operating in the region.
The sinking has impacted many families, and the search for the missing continues with urgency. The focus remains on providing support to the survivors and families affected by this tragedy.
