Ferry sinks in the Philippines with over 350 people on board: 15 deaths reported and hundreds missing

Philippines.- A passenger and cargo ferry sank during the early hours in the south of the Philippines with more than 350 people on board, an accident that left at least 15 dead and dozens missing, while emergency teams rescued more than 300 survivors, according to Philippine Coast Guard authorities. The M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, an inter-island ferry, was sailing from the port city of Zamboanga towards the island of Jolo, in the province of Sulu, when it suffered apparent technical problems and sank shortly after midnight, coast guard officials said. On board were 332 passengers and 27 crew members, according to official data. The sinking occurred in favorable weather conditions, approximately one nautical mile from the island town of Baluk-baluk, in the province of Basilan, said Coast Guard commander Romel Dua, in statements to The Associated Press. Many of the survivors were initially taken to that coastal area.

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“There was a coast guard security officer on board and he was the first to call and alert us to deploy the rescue vessels”, Dua stated. The commander added that the officer survived the accident. Search and rescue operations included the participation of coast guard and Navy vessels, as well as a surveillance aircraft, an Air Force Black Hawk helicopter, and numerous local fishing boats, which collaborated in the operation off the coast of Basilan. Source: Infobae