A ferry with greater than 330 passengers sank early Monday near an island within the southern Philippines, killing a minimum of 18 people, officials said.
The M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 was travelling from the port in Zamboanga City to Jolo Island when it “submerged” around 1:50 a.m. local time, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said in a press release on Facebook.
“The vessel was carrying 332 passengers and 27 crew members when the maritime incident occurred roughly 2.75 nautical miles northeast of Baluk-Baluk Island, Basilan,” the statement continued.
“Based on the initial investigation, M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 departed the Port of Zamboanga City at around 9:20PM on January 25, 2026, operating inside its authorized maximum passenger capability of 352.”
The Coast Guard said a “distress call” was received from the PCG sea marshal onboard and a PCG vessel was deployed from Zamboanga City.
Search-and-rescue efforts saved a minimum of 316 passengers, while crew members retrieved 18 bodies, officials said.
Coast guard and navy ships, together with a surveillance plane, an air force Black Hawk helicopter and fleets of fishing boats carried out search and rescue operations for about two dozen people believed missing off Basilan, Coast Guard Commander Romel Dua told The Associated Press.
“There have been two coast guard safety officers on board they usually were the primary to call and alert us to deploy rescue vessels,” Dua said, adding that the 2 safety marshals survived.
Authorities say they’re investigating the reason behind the sinking. Coast guard officials said the cargo and passenger ferry apparently encountered technical problems and sank after midnight.
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“Based on the account of some survivors, the waters in the realm were rough on the time,” PCG spokesperson Noemie Cayabyab said in an interview.
Survivors may be seen leaving the rescue boats with some people on stretchers in a post shared by Basilan Gov. Mujv Hataman on Facebook.
“We’re with the City Government of Isabela and different agencies in rescue and relief operations to make sure the security, health, and welfare of passengers and crew,” Hataman wrote. “We proceed to coordinate for extra assistance — medical attention, temporary housing, and other needed support.”
“Within the midst of fear and intimidation, we would like to remind you that you simply will not be alone. The federal government is here, will proceed to act and take care of every family affected,” he added.
In one other post, Hataman shared images from the rescue and wrote, “Our condolences to all those that died on this tragedy. For many who haven’t yet been found, we’ll be sure that to proceed to assist find them.”
Global News reached out to Global Affairs Canada (GAC), who said they’re “not aware of any Canadians affected by the ferry sinking within the Philippines.”
“GAC expresses its condolences to the families and family members of those affected by this tragic event. Canadian officials stand ready to supply consular assistance and are reaching out to local authorities to collect more information,” they added in a press release.
Sea accidents are common within the Philippine archipelago due to frequent storms, badly maintained vessels, overcrowding and spotty enforcement of safety regulations, especially in distant provinces.
A Philippine inter-island ferry with 258 passengers and crew, including Christmas holiday travellers, sank in December 2017 after being battered by fierce winds and large waves off the country’s northeast, leaving a minimum of 4 people dead and 88 others missing, officials said.
Greater than 160 others were plucked alive from the rough sea by navy and coast guard personnel and a flotilla of fishing boats after the M/V Mercraft 3 sank within the Polillo Strait between Quezon province’s Infanta town and the ferry’s destination, Polillo Island, Coast Guard spokesperson Armand Balilo said.
Coast guard boats, navy vessels and fishing boats rescued 166 people, including many who were floating within the rough sea, Balilo said, adding that the ferry could carry 286 people and apparently wasn’t overcrowded.
On Dec. 20, 1987, the ferry Dona Paz sank within the Philippines after colliding with a fuel tanker, killing greater than 4,300 people on the earth’s worst peacetime maritime disaster.
— With files from The Associated Press
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