A ferry carrying over 350 people sank near an island in the southern Philippines, resulting in at least 15 confirmed fatalities. The M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 was on a journey from Zamboanga to Jolo in Sulu province when it encountered technical issues and sank shortly after midnight on March 11, 2024. Authorities have reported that at least 316 passengers were rescued from the waters near the island village of Baluk-baluk in Basilan province.
According to coast guard officials, the ferry had 332 passengers and 27 crew members on board at the time of the incident. Coast Guard Commander Romel Dua explained that despite good weather conditions, the vessel began to sink about a nautical mile from the island. A safety officer on board was the first to alert rescue teams, facilitating a swift response that included coast guard and navy ships, a surveillance plane, and an air force Black Hawk helicopter.
Survivors of the tragedy shared harrowing accounts of the moments leading up to the ferry’s sinking. One passenger, Mohamad Khan, described how the ferry suddenly tilted and took on water, causing chaos among the passengers. He and his wife, who was holding their six-month-old baby, were thrown into the sea. Tragically, their baby drowned during the incident. Khan recounted his experience to a volunteer rescuer, expressing his grief over the loss.
Local volunteer rescuer Gamar Alih, a village councilor from Zamboanga City, joined the rescue efforts after learning that some of his relatives were aboard the ferry. All of his family members were among those rescued.
As search and rescue operations continued, the coast guard confirmed that 316 passengers had been saved, while at least 15 bodies had been recovered. The cause of the ferry’s sinking remains under investigation, although Dua stated that the coast guard had inspected the ferry prior to its departure from Zamboanga and found no signs of overloading.
Sea accidents are unfortunately common in the Philippine archipelago, attributable to various factors including frequent storms, poorly maintained vessels, and inadequate enforcement of safety regulations. The country has a tragic history of maritime disasters, with one of the deadliest occurring in December 1987 when the ferry Dona Paz sank after colliding with a fuel tanker, resulting in the deaths of over 4,300 people.
As the investigation into the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 continues, the Philippine coast guard is likely to assess safety protocols and regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future. The tragedy has once again highlighted the critical need for improved maritime safety in the region.
