Ferry carrying over 350 people sinks in Philippines, killing at least eight

Coastguard says at least 215 people have been rescued, while a search for 144 missing people is ongoing.Published On 26 Jan 2026A ferry carrying more than 350 people has capsized off the southern Philippine province of Basilan, killing at least 15 people, according to officials.The ⁠accident occurred after midnight on Monday ​as the passenger vessel, MV Trisha Kerstin ‍3, was en route to Jolo Island in southern Sulu after departing the port city of Zamboanga.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Typhoon Fung-wong destroys homes in the Philippineslist 2 of 4Typhoon Fung-wong a “devastating blow” to the Philippineslist 3 of 4Landslides kill dozens as heavy rains lash Southeast Asialist 4 of 4Landfill collapse kills one and leaves dozens missing in Philippinesend of listThe vessel, which ‍had 332 ⁠passengers on record and 27 crew, issued a distress signal at 1:50am on Monday (1750 GMT Sunday), about over four hours after it departed Zamboanga City, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).The ferry sank in good weather about a nautical mile (nearly 2 kilometers) from the island village of Baluk-baluk in Basilan province, where many of the survivors were initially taken, the PCG said.Coast Guard Commander Romel Dua of Southern Mindanao District told the AFP news agency that at least 316 people had so far been rescued, with 15 confirmed dead and 28 still unaccounted for.“A coast guard aircraft is also on the way to help the operation. The Navy and Air Force also sent their assets,” Dua told AFP.Emergency responders in Basilan said those who were rescued and needed medical attention were brought to a hospital in the capital city of Isabela.“The challenge here really is the number of patients that are coming in. We are short-staffed at the moment,” Ronalyn Perez, a medic, said.Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman posted clips from the scene at Isabela port in Mindanao on Facebook, showing survivors being ushered off boats, some wrapped in thermal blankets, and others being carried on stretchers.