ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — At least 15 passengers were confirmed dead after a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferry sank off the waters of Basilan early Monday, January 26, authorities said.
Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman confirmed the fatalities in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, saying rescue operations are still ongoing for dozens of missing passengers.
Hataman said 317 passengers have been rescued so far, while search and rescue teams continue to look for 43 others who remain unaccounted for.
The Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao (CGDSWM) said the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 was carrying 332 passengers and 27 crew members when it went down about 2.75 nautical miles northeast of Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan.
The vessel departed the Port of Zamboanga City at around 9:20 p.m. on Sunday, bound for Jolo, Sulu. Aleson Shipping Lines owns the ill-fated vessel.
The CGDSWM clarified that the ferry was not overloaded at the time of the incident.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) immediately deployed the BRP Tubattaha from Zamboanga City after receiving a distress call from a PCG sea marshal onboard the vessel.
Several commercial ships, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, various government agencies, and local government units also joined the rescue efforts, the CGDSWM said.
Some passengers were initially rescued by members of the Bantay-Dagat of Barangay Baluk-Baluk, according to Pilas Island Mayor Arsina Kahing-Nanoh. The survivors were later turned over to the Coast Guard station in Basilan and transferred to larger PCG vessels.
Hataman also posted a live video on his Facebook account showing the arrival of several survivors at a pier in Basilan.
Authorities said no oil spill has been detected in the area as of Monday.
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