In the southern Philippine province of Basilan, a ferry carrying 332 passengers and 27 crew members sank early on Monday morning (26 January), resulting in the deaths of at least 15 people. Authorities have reported that a further 43 individuals remain missing, while 138 passengers have been rescued alive by the Philippine Coast Guard divers.
The vessel, named Trisha Kerstin 3, had departed from Zamboanga City in Basilan, bound for Jolo Island in the neighbouring province of Sulu. Eyewitnesses and officials indicated that the ferry capsized shortly after leaving the port, though the precise cause of the disaster is yet to be determined.
Basilan Mayor Arcina Laza Cathing Nanoh and representatives from the Basilan branch of the Philippine Coast Guard confirmed these figures. According to officials, the Coast Guard and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) are prioritising rescue operations over investigation at this stage.
A spokesperson for the NDRRMC, Ronalin Perez, told AFP: “We have successfully rescued 138 passengers alive so far, of whom 18 are receiving treatment in hospital.” He added that rescue efforts are being coordinated with the provincial authorities in Mindanao to accelerate operations. “At this moment, we are experiencing manpower constraints. To expedite the recovery process, we are working jointly with the Mindanao disaster management team, which is overseeing the overall coordination,” Perez explained.
Ferry accidents are unfortunately not uncommon in the Philippines, a nation of over 116 million people with a heavy reliance on maritime transport between its many islands. In 2023, a similar tragedy struck in southern Philippines when a fire aboard a ferry claimed 30 lives.
Summary of Ferry Disaster – 26 January 2026
| Category | Number of People |
|---|---|
| Passengers | 332 |
| Crew | 27 |
| Total Onboard | 359 |
| Confirmed Dead | 15 |
| Missing | 43 |
| Rescued Alive | 138 |
| Hospitalised Survivors | 18 |
Rescue teams continue to search for missing passengers, and authorities have urged families to remain patient as efforts are ongoing. The investigation into the cause of the sinking is expected to commence once rescue operations conclude.