A passenger ferry carrying 359 people sank in Philippine waters early Monday morning, claiming at least 18 lives and leaving approximately two dozen passengers missing in what marks another tragic maritime disaster in the island nation.

Ferry Sinks Near Basilan Island

The M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 encountered technical problems and sank shortly after midnight while traveling from Zamboanga City to Jolo Island in Sulu province. The steel-hulled vessel abruptly tilted and took on water about one nautical mile from Baluk-baluk village in Basilan province. Coast Guard Commander Romel Dua confirmed that 316 passengers and crew members were rescued from the dark waters. Two coast guard safety officers aboard the ferry immediately alerted authorities, triggering a massive rescue operation involving coast guard ships, naval vessels, an air force helicopter, and local fishing boats.

Among the survivors was Mohamad Khan, who lost his six-month-old baby during the chaos. Khan described how he and his wife were separated from their infant when passengers were hurled into the sea. While Khan and his wife survived, their baby drowned in the tragedy that separated families in the darkness.

Search Operations Continue

Rescue teams deployed surveillance planes and Black Hawk helicopters to search for missing passengers. Coast guard officials indicated that fifteen passengers may have canceled their trips at the last minute, which could reduce the actual number of missing persons. The ferry had been cleared for departure with no signs of overloading, and weather conditions were favorable at the time of departure. Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman coordinated emergency response efforts as survivors and victims were transported to Isabela, the provincial capital.

Maritime Safety Concerns Persist

The Philippines archipelago experiences frequent maritime accidents due to poorly maintained vessels, overcrowding, inadequate safety enforcement, and severe weather conditions, particularly in remote provinces. The nation’s worst peacetime maritime disaster occurred in December 1987 when the Dona Paz ferry collided with a fuel tanker, killing over 4,300 people. Coast guard officials have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of Monday’s sinking, though technical problems appear to be the primary factor in this latest tragedy affecting Filipino families.