Ferry carrying over 350 people sinks off Philippine coast, killing at least 15

A Ferry Capsizes Off Philippine Coast, Rescues Underway

At least 316 people have been rescued so far from a ferry that capsized off the southern Philippine province of Basilan, leaving at least 15 dead and 28 unaccounted for, according to officials. The MV Trisha Kerstin 3, carrying over 350 passengers, sank in good weather approximately 1 nautical mile from the island village of Baluk-baluk in Basilan province.

The ferry departed Zamboanga City on Monday morning and issued a distress signal at 1:50am local time, four hours after departure. The Philippine coastguard responded to the distress call and has been conducting rescue operations. Coastguard Commander Romel Dua stated that a coast guard aircraft is also en route to assist in the operation.

Emergency responders have brought rescued passengers who require medical attention to a hospital in Isabela, where they are being treated. However, the hospital is currently facing challenges due to an influx of patients. Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman shared footage from the scene on Facebook, showing survivors being assisted by emergency responders.

The cause of the ferry sinking is not yet clear and will be investigated by the coastguard. The vessel was cleared for departure before leaving the Zamboanga port, and there were no reports of overloading. Sea accidents are common in the Philippine archipelago due to various factors such as frequent storms, poorly maintained vessels, overcrowding, and inadequate safety regulations.

Rescue efforts continue, with multiple agencies involved, including the Navy and Air Force. The coastguard has confirmed that at least 316 people have been rescued so far, while 28 remain missing.

Source: Al Jazeera