Ferry Accident in Southern Philippines Leaves at Least 15 Dead, Dozens Still Missing

Photo Source: Newscenter.lk

At least 15 people have been confirmed dead following a ferry boat accident in the southern Philippines, with search and rescue operations ongoing for dozens still unaccounted for, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The incident occurred at approximately 1:50 a.m. local time on Monday while the passenger vessel MV Trisha Kerstin 3 was en route to Jolo, Sulu province, after departing from Zamboanga City. The Coast Guard said the ferry was operating within its authorized passenger capacity of 352 people and was carrying 332 passengers and 27 crew members at the time of the accident.

As of Monday, 316 individuals had been rescued, while 28 people remain missing, Coast Guard Commander Romel Dua, head of the Southern Mindanao District, confirmed by phone. Search efforts have been aided by relatively calm sea conditions, helping rescue teams scour the surrounding waters more efficiently.

An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the accident. Commander Dua said that military aircraft and naval vessels have been deployed to support ongoing search-and-rescue operations.

Footage shared on Facebook by Mujiv Hataman, governor of the island province of Basilan, showed survivors arriving at Isabela Port in Mindanao, where emergency responders assisted them. Videos depicted passengers being escorted off rescue boats, some wrapped in thermal blankets, while others were transported on stretchers.

Speaking to DZBB radio, Governor Hataman said that most survivors were in stable condition, though several elderly passengers required urgent medical attention. He added that authorities were still cross-checking the passenger manifest as rescue efforts continued, to ensure an accurate accounting of those on board.

Ferry travel remains a critical mode of transportation in the Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands. However, maritime accidents remain a recurring concern, with scores of fatalities reported each year, often highlighting ongoing challenges related to vessel safety, weather exposure, and enforcement of maritime regulations.

Search operations are expected to continue as authorities work to locate the remaining missing passengers and determine the circumstances that led to the tragedy.