Hundreds rescued from deadly ferry disaster in Philippines

A ferry, the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, carrying over 350 people sank early Monday near an island in the southern Philippines. As of Monday, January 26, 2026, rescuers had saved at least 316 passengers from the waters off Isabela City, Basilan Province. Sadly, 15 bodies have been recovered from the site of the disaster near Baluk-Baluk Island. The Philippine Coast Guard and other rescue personnel are tending to the survivors. The cause of the sinking is currently unknown.

A ferry, the MV Trisha Kerstin 3, carrying over 350 people, sank off the coast of Basilan province in the southern Philippines on January 26, 2026. The ferry, which departed from Zamboanga City en route to Jolo Island, issued a distress signal at 1:50 AM local time, approximately four hours after departure. According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the vessel sank about a nautical mile from Baluk-baluk Island in good weather. As of the latest reports, at least 316 people have been rescued, 15 are confirmed dead, and 28 remain missing, prompting ongoing search and rescue operations involving the Coast Guard, Navy, and Air Force. Survivors are being treated at a hospital in Isabela, with medical staff facing challenges due to the high number of patients.

A Philippine ferry, the MV Trisha Kerstin 3, carrying over 350 people sank early Monday morning near Baluk-baluk Island in Basilan province. The inter-island ferry, traveling from Zamboanga to Jolo island with 332 passengers and 27 crew members, reportedly encountered technical problems. As of Monday, rescuers had saved at least 316 people and recovered 15 bodies. The Philippine Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, and local fishing boats are conducting search and rescue operations in the area. The ferry sank in good weather approximately one nautical mile from the island.