Rescue efforts ongoing after overnight disaster
At least 18 people have died after a ferry carrying more than 350 passengers and crew sank in waters off the southern coast of the Philippines, authorities said. Search and rescue teams have saved 317 people, while at least 24 remain missing, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
The vessel, identified as the MV Trisha Kerstin 3, was traveling from the southern island of Mindanao to Jolo Island when it issued a distress call at around 1:50 a.m. local time on Monday. The ferry was operating as both a passenger and cargo ship.
Survivors describe rough sea conditions
Authorities are investigating the cause of the sinking, but early accounts from survivors point to difficult weather conditions. “Based on the account of some survivors, the waters in the area were rough at the time,” Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Noemie Cayabyab said in a televised interview.
Videos released by local disaster management officials showed passengers wearing life vests floating in open water while awaiting rescue. Additional footage posted on social media showed survivors wrapped in blankets as they disembarked from rescue boats along the coast of Basilan province.
Emergency services strained by scale of rescue
Local responders said they were overwhelmed by the number of survivors requiring assistance. “The challenge really is the number of patients that are coming in. We are short-staffed at the moment,” Basilan emergency responder Ronalyn Perez told AFP.
Another rescuer said authorities had received more than 100 calls from concerned family members seeking information about loved ones believed to be on board the ferry.
Maritime safety remains a concern
The Philippines, an archipelago nation of more than 7,000 islands, has a long history of maritime accidents involving inter-island ferries. Past investigations have often cited poor vessel maintenance and overloading as contributing factors.
Despite repeated incidents, ferries remain a common mode of transportation for many Filipinos due to their affordability and accessibility. In May 2023, at least 28 people died when a passenger ferry caught fire, while a separate high-speed ferry fire the year before killed at least seven people.
Search operations continue
Search and rescue operations remain underway as authorities attempt to locate those still missing. Officials said updates would be provided as investigations progress and rescue teams continue combing the area where the vessel went down.
