General

The number of deaths from a ferry accident in the Southern Philippines has risen to at least 15, with 316 individuals rescued, according to the Philippine Coast Guard on Monday. Search efforts are ongoing for the many people still missing. The incident took place at 1:50 a.m. [1750 GMT] on Monday, as the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 was traveling to Jolo in Sulu province after leaving Zamboanga. The Coast Guard reported that the ferry had a maximum capacity of 352 passengers but had 332 passengers and 27 crew members on board at the time. Coast Guard Commander Romel Dua from the Southern Mindanao District stated that search and rescue teams are able to work quickly due to the relatively calm waters. He mentioned that 28 individuals are still unaccounted for. An investigation is currently being conducted to find out what caused the accident. Military ships and planes have also been sent to help with the rescue operations. Mujiv Hataman, the governor of Basilan province, posted videos on Facebook showing survivors arriving at Mindanao’s Isabela port, some wrapped in thermal blankets while others were carried on stretchers. Hataman told DZBB radio that most of the survivors are in good condition, but some elderly individuals required urgent medical assistance. He also noted that officials are still verifying the passenger list as rescue efforts continue. Each year, many people lose their lives in ferry accidents in the Philippines, an archipelago consisting of over 7,000 islands with a history of maritime safety issues.