News|AviationFerry carrying over 350 people sinks in Philippines, killing at least 15The coastguard says at least 316 people have been rescued so far, while 28 others remain missing.

Maritime Incident: Ferry Accident in the Philippines

A ferry carrying over 350 individuals capsized near the southern Philippine province of Basilan, resulting in a confirmed death toll of at least 15, according to official reports.

The incident occurred after midnight on Mon, Jan 26, 2026, as the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 was traveling to Jolo Island in southern Sulu, having departed from the port city of Zamboanga. The vessel recorded 332 passengers and 27 crew members on board and issued a distress signal at 1:50 am on Monday (17:50 GMT Sunday), approximately four hours after leaving Zamboanga City, as reported by the Philippine Coast Guard.

The ferry sank approximately 1 nautical mile (nearly 2 km) from the island village of Baluk-baluk in Basilan province, where many survivors were initially transported. The Coast Guard has confirmed the rescue of at least 316 individuals, while 28 remain unaccounted for.

Coast Guard Commander Romel Dua of the Southern Mindanao District mentioned that a coast guard aircraft, along with assets from the Navy and Air Force, were involved in the ongoing rescue operations. Emergency responders in Basilan reported that rescued individuals needing medical attention were taken to a hospital in Isabela, the provincial capital.

Ronalyn Perez, a medic, highlighted the challenge posed by the high number of patients amidst limited medical staffing.

Personnel tend to people who were on board the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 around the waters of Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan [Philippine coastguard via AP]

Governor Mujiv Hataman noted that most survivors are in stable condition, although several elderly passengers required emergency medical care. Authorities are continuing to verify the passenger manifest as rescue efforts continue. Commander Dua stated that an investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the ferry's sinking, noting that the vessel had been cleared for departure with no apparent overloading issues.

Maritime accidents are relatively common in the Philippine archipelago due to frequent storms, poorly maintained vessels, overcrowding, and inconsistent enforcement of safety regulations, particularly in remote areas.

In recent related incidents, on the previous Friday, two Filipino sailors were reported dead, and 15 others rescued after a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel sank en route to China from Mindanao. Additionally, a private vessel sank off the Davao region in Mindanao last Monday, resulting in at least six fatalities and nine missing individuals. A historical reference includes the sinking of the ferry Dona Paz in December 1987, which collided with a fuel tanker, resulting in over 4,300 deaths in what remains the world's worst peacetime maritime disaster.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.