At least 15 people have been killed after a passenger ferry sank in the southern Philippine province of Basilan in the early hours of Monday, local authorities and the coast guard said. At least 43 others remain missing as rescue operations continue.
According to Basilan Mayor Arsina Laja Cathing Nanoh and officials from the Basilan unit of the Philippine Coast Guard, the ferry—named Trisha Kerstin 3—was carrying 332 passengers and 27 crew members at the time of the incident. So far, 15 bodies have been recovered, while coast guard divers have rescued 138 people alive. Of those rescued, 18 are receiving medical treatment in hospitals for serious injuries.
Administrative sources said the ferry departed early Monday morning from Zamboanga City in Basilan, bound for Jolo Island in the neighbouring province of Mindanao. However, the vessel sank shortly after beginning its journey for reasons that remain unclear.
The exact cause of the accident has yet to be determined. Officials from the coast guard and the disaster management authorities said their top priority at this stage is the rescue of missing passengers.
Ronalin Perez, spokesperson for the disaster response and rescue team, told AFP that 138 people have been rescued alive so far. She added that coordination has been strengthened with the Mindanao provincial administration to accelerate rescue efforts.
Perez further noted that despite a shortage of personnel, joint operations are being conducted with the Mindanao Disaster Risk Reduction Office. The overall coordination of the ongoing rescue operation is being overseen by the Mindanao provincial authorities.