Death Toll from Philippines Ferry Disaster Surges Past Thirty

2026-01-31 04:05:38

(MENAFN) The fatality count from a passenger and cargo ship that went down in the southern Philippines has escalated to 31 following the recovery of two additional bodies Friday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) announced.

Rescue teams have pulled at least 316 individuals to safety, the PCG confirmed.

The PCG reported that search and recovery operations remain active, while investigators work to establish the precise number of people still unaccounted for in the maritime tragedy.

The M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 was traveling to Jolo Island in Sulu province from Zamboanga City when the vessel capsized Monday near Baluk-Baluk Island in Hadji Muhtamad, a coastal municipality situated in the Sulu Sea.

Authorities have not yet released details regarding what caused the ship to sink, though maritime accidents occur with troubling frequency in the Philippine archipelago due to challenging weather conditions, overloading, and aging vessel fleets. The investigation continues as families await information about their missing loved ones, while recovered survivors receive medical attention and support from local emergency response teams deployed to the affected region.

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