Ferry Sinks Near Basilan in Philippines; At Least 18 Dead

A large passenger and cargo ferry sank early Monday near the island of Baluk-baluk in Basilan Province in the southern Philippines, leaving at least 18 people dead, the Philippine Coast Guard said.

The M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 was carrying 332 passengers and 27 crew when it sank shortly before 2 a.m., the Coast Guard said. Rescuers saved 317 people, and 24 were still missing as of Monday afternoon.

The vessel had been sailing from Zamboanga to Jolo Island in Sulu Province, a trip of just under 100 miles, and the Coast Guard said it was carrying fewer than the maximum number of passengers allowed. Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.

Survivors told local radio the boat “suddenly tilted.” Alnajer Muarip said he was traveling with his pregnant wife and daughter and added, “I lost them when the boat went down. They had vests, I wasn’t wearing one.” Another survivor, Jun Guro, said, “We were floating for almost four hours,” and said he hoped there would be an investigation because the weather had been fine. Maritime accidents are common in the Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,600 islands, the report said.

Key Topics

World, Philippine Coast Guard, Baluk-baluk, Zamboanga, Jolo Island, Maritime Accidents