A ferry carrying over 350 people sank near an island in the southern Philippines early on Monday, resulting in at least 13 confirmed deaths and dozens of others missing. The M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, an inter-island cargo and passenger ferry, was en route to Jolo island in Sulu province from Zamboanga when it reportedly encountered technical difficulties shortly after midnight.
Reports indicate that the ferry sank in calm weather approximately one nautical mile (nearly 2 kilometers) from the island village of Baluk-baluk in Basilan province. According to coast guard officials, the vessel was carrying 332 passengers and 27 crew members at the time of the incident. Coast guard commander Romel Dua confirmed that rescuers have saved at least 244 individuals and retrieved 13 bodies from the water.
Search and Rescue Operations Underway
Following the incident, coast guard and navy ships, supported by a surveillance plane and an air force Black Hawk helicopter, launched extensive search and rescue operations in the affected area. Many of the survivors were initially taken to Baluk-baluk, while Mujiv Hataman, the governor of Basilan province, reported that several passengers and two bodies were transported to Isabela, the provincial capital.
“I’m receiving 37 people here at the pier. Unfortunately, two are dead,” Hataman stated via cellphone from the Isabela pier. The survivors have been receiving medical attention as the search continues for those still unaccounted for.
The precise cause of the ferry sinking remains under investigation. Commander Dua noted that the coast guard had inspected the ferry prior to its departure from Zamboanga and found no indications of overloading or safety violations.
Context of Maritime Safety in the Philippines
Maritime accidents are not uncommon in the Philippine archipelago, often attributed to various factors such as inclement weather, poorly maintained vessels, overcrowding, and inconsistent enforcement of safety regulations, particularly in remote regions. A tragic historical parallel can be drawn to the sinking of the Dona Paz in December 1987, which resulted in the deaths of over 4,300 people in the worst peacetime maritime disaster on record.
The Philippine authorities are urging for a thorough investigation into the incident to ensure accountability and to prevent future tragedies. As the search for the missing continues, the nation remains hopeful for the safe return of those still unaccounted for.
