A major maritime tragedy struck the southern Philippines on Monday as the inter-island ferry M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 sank in the Sulu Sea, resulting in 18 confirmed fatalities and 24 individuals remaining missing. The incident occurred in the early hours near Baluk-Baluk Island off Basilan province, prompting an extensive search and rescue operation by Philippine authorities.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the vessel was transporting 332 passengers and 27 crew members from Zamboanga City to Jolo Island in Sulu province when it submerged before 2:00 AM local time. Rescue teams have successfully recovered 317 survivors from the waters, with ongoing efforts to locate the missing persons.
PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan confirmed the ferry had departed Zamboanga City port at approximately 9:20 PM on Sunday evening. Addressing concerns about potential overloading, Admiral Gavan stated that the vessel operated within its authorized capacity of 350 passengers, with the actual passenger count verified at 332 individuals at departure.
The exact cause of the sinking remains undetermined as maritime investigators examine multiple factors that could have contributed to the disaster. The incident highlights the persistent challenges facing maritime safety in the Philippine archipelago, where inter-island transportation remains vital yet occasionally vulnerable to accidents.
The Philippine Coast Guard has deployed additional assets to the search area, coordinating with local authorities to expand the rescue operation despite challenging maritime conditions in the region.