Eighteen Dead, Dozens Missing as Ferry Sinks in Philippines

(MENAFN) At least 18 people were confirmed dead and 24 others were still unaccounted for after an inter-island ferry capsized in the early hours of Monday off the coast of Basilan province in the southern Philippines, officials said.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that rescue teams pulled at least 317 passengers and crew members alive from the water after the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 sank shortly before 2 a.m. local time near Baluk-Baluk Island, part of the municipality of Hadji Muhtamad along the Sulu Sea.

According to the PCG, the vessel was transporting 332 passengers and 27 crew members on a scheduled trip from Zamboanga City to Jolo Island in Sulu province when it went down.

PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan told reporters in Manila that the ferry departed Zamboanga City port at approximately 9:20 p.m. on Sunday.

"The search and rescue operation is ongoing, but what I can say is that the ship is not overloaded," Gavan said. "It has a maximum passenger capacity of 350, and the actual passengers on board, as declared by the master, are 332."

Authorities said the cause of the sinking has not yet been established as recovery efforts continue in the area.

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