Ferry sinks near southern Philippines island, at least 15 dead

The Report Desk

Published: January 26, 2026, 11:49 AM

Ferry sinks near southern Philippines island, at least 15 dead

Photo: Collected

A ferry carrying more than 350 people sank late at night near an island in the southern Philippines.

Rescuers have saved at least 316 people, while 15 bodies have been recovered, officials said on Monday.

The ferry, M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, was traveling from the city of Zamboanga to Jolo island in Sulu province. It had 332 passengers and 27 crew members on board. 

According to the coast guard, the vessel ran into technical problems and sank shortly after midnight.

The incident happened in calm weather, about one nautical mile (around two kilometers) from the village of Baluk-baluk in Basilan province. 

Many survivors were first taken to that village.

Coast guard commander Romel Dua said there was a coast guard safety officer on the ferry, who managed to call for help before the vessel sank. The officer survived the incident.

Search and rescue operations were quickly launched. Coast guard and navy ships, a surveillance plane, an air force helicopter, and local fishing boats joined the effort to find survivors.

Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman said dozens of survivors were brought to the port of Isabela, the provincial capital. 

He confirmed that two bodies were also taken there.

Rescue teams continue to search the area as authorities work to confirm the final number of casualties.

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