MANILA – At least 15 people were killed and 28 others remained missing after a passenger ferry bound for Jolo, Sulu sank in waters off Basilan early Monday, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
The incident involved MV Trisha Kerstin 3, a passenger-cargo vessel operated by Aleson Shipping, which went down at around 1:50 a.m. about 2.75 nautical miles northeast of Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan province.
The ship left the Port of Zamboanga City at approximately 9:20 p.m. Sunday carrying 332 passengers and 27 crew members, within its authorized capacity of 352, the Coast Guard said.
Authorities reported that more than 300 people were rescued after the distress call was received from a Coast Guard sea marshal onboard the vessel. Survivors were pulled from the water by Coast Guard units, military aircraft and ships, and nearby commercial vessels that rushed to the scene.
Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao commander Romel Dua said search and rescue operations are continuing as some passengers remain unaccounted for.
“The Navy and Air Force have deployed their assets, and a Coast Guard aircraft is also assisting in the operation,” Dua said, adding that efforts are focused on locating the missing and bringing survivors to safety.
Rescued passengers were transported to Coast Guard stations in Zamboanga City and Isabela City in Basilan, while some of the injured were brought to nearby hospitals. Basilan emergency responders said local medical facilities were strained by the large number of patients arriving at the same time.
“The challenge really is the number of patients that are coming in. We are short-staffed at the moment,” said emergency responder Ronalyn Perez, noting that at least 18 survivors were admitted to one hospital.
Video released by the Coast Guard showed passengers being rescued from the water in darkness and given first aid on board rescue vessels.
The Coast Guard said it has ordered a marine casualty investigation to determine what caused the ferry to sink. Officials also confirmed that the vessel was not overloaded at the time of the incident and that no oil spill has been detected so far.
Search and rescue operations remain ongoing as authorities continue to look for the missing passengers./PN
