MANILA, Philippines (AP) – In a tragic maritime incident, the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, an inter-island cargo and passenger ferry, sank in the southern Philippines early Monday with over 350 people on board. The ferry was en route from the port city of Zamboanga to southern Jolo island in Sulu province when it seemingly encountered technical problems and sank shortly after midnight.
Coast guard officials reported that there were 332 passengers and 27 crew members on the ferry at the time of the incident. The sinking occurred in calm weather conditions approximately a nautical mile (nearly 2 kilometers) from Baluk-baluk Island in Basilan province, where many of the survivors were initially taken following rescue operations. Coast guard commander Romel Dua emphasized that a safety officer aboard the ferry promptly alerted authorities to initiate a rescue response.
In the aftermath of the sinking, rescuers successfully saved at least 316 individuals and recovered 15 bodies. The provincial governor of Basilan, Mujiv Hataman, confirmed that several of the rescued passengers were brought to Isabela, the provincial capital, where emergency services prepared to assist them. Hataman reported the somber news of two deceased individuals among the victims, conveying the situation's gravity from the Isabela pier.
The specific cause of the ferry sinking remains undetermined as investigations are set to proceed. Commander Dua stated that the coast guard had cleared the vessel before its departure from the Zamboanga port and noted that there were no indications of overloading at the time. Reports suggest that sea accidents are a recurring problem in the Philippines due to factors such as harsh weather, poorly maintained vessels, overcrowding, and inconsistent enforcement of maritime safety regulations.
Historical context highlights the severity of maritime disasters in the region. One of the most notorious incidents occurred in December 1987 when the ferry Dona Paz collided with a fuel tanker in the central Philippines, resulting in the deaths of more than 4,300 people—a grim record as the world's deadliest peacetime maritime disaster.
The Philippine Coast Guard, along with naval ships, a surveillance aircraft, and an air force Black Hawk helicopter, actively participated in the search and rescue efforts in the waters surrounding Basilan. The rapid response included the mobilization of fishing boats from nearby communities, demonstrating the collective effort to manage the crisis and support the survivors.
As the investigation into the sinking of the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 unfolds, the focus remains on understanding how such a disaster could occur despite safety measures in place, amid ongoing concerns about maritime safety in the archipelagic nation.
