PCG teams moved the remains of ferry victims from Basilan to Zamboanga City on Friday as the reported death toll rose to 42. Photo courtesy of Hadji Muhtamad Municipal Mayor Arsina Kahing-Nanoh.
Two more bodies were recovered in the ongoing search and rescue operation in Basilan waters, bringing the death toll from the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 sinking to 42, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.
The ferry sank near Baluk-Baluk Island, and authorities said the captain remained missing, with their identity still unknown.
PCG spokesperson Capt. Noemie Cayabyab said strong underwater currents made search efforts difficult, noting that divers were dragged about a kilometer from their original search area.
So far, rescuers had saved 319 passengers, and investigators were looking into whether overloading, mechanical failure, or negligence contributed to the disaster.
The Sulu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office had earlier listed 49 missing individuals reported by their families, while the PCG confirmed 10 missing based on the vessel’s manifest. A total of 23 bodies had been recovered by then.
Authorities stressed the importance of locating the sunken vessel, deploying remotely operated vehicles and technical divers to examine the ship for trapped individuals and to determine the cause of the sinking.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) initially gave the PCG 15 days to complete a full investigation, and officials said they would release findings once the probe was finished.
