Survivors described the ferry tilting suddenly and taking on water before sinking, throwing many passengers into the sea.
At least 18 people have died and 24 remain missing after the passenger ferry MV Trisha Kerstin 3 sank early Monday off the southern Philippines, officials confirmed as rescue efforts continued.
BBC reported that the roll-on/roll-off cargo and passenger vessel was en route from Zamboanga City on Mindanao to Jolo Island in Sulu province with 332 passengers and 27 crew when it sent a distress call about 1:50 a.m. local time. The ship went down near Basilan province, roughly a nautical mile from the island of Baluk-Baluk, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
So far, 317 people have been rescued, with dozens being brought to Isabela City hospitals for treatment. Emergency responders, navy ships, air force helicopters, and local fishing boats are assisting in the search for the missing.
Authorities have launched a formal investigation into the cause of the sinking. Coast Guard officials said the vessel had been cleared for departure and was within its licensed passenger capacity.
Conflicting early reports
Initial casualty figures varied among news agencies. Some outlets initially reported 15 confirmed deaths with 28 missing, reflecting early counts from rescue officials.
Survivors described the ferry tilting suddenly and taking on water before sinking, throwing many passengers into the sea. Among the missing are reports of children, including a six-month-old infant who was believed to have drowned, according to one survivor account widely reported.
Maritime context
The Philippines — an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands — has a long history of ferry accidents tied to aging vessels, sporadic enforcement of safety rules, and challenging sea conditions for inter-island travel.
Past disasters, like the 1987 Dona Paz collision that claimed thousands of lives, highlight ongoing maritime safety challenges in the region.
