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A heartbreaking maritime tragedy struck the southern Philippines early Monday, January 26, 2026, when the passenger ferry MV Trisha Kerstin 3 sank in choppy seas near Basilan province. The roll-on/roll-off vessel, carrying more than 350 people including passengers and crew, was en route from Zamboanga City to Jolo Island in Sulu province when it capsized after taking on water.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Navy, Air Force helicopters, and local fishing boats launched an immediate and massive search-and-rescue operation. As of the latest updates, authorities have rescued hundreds, but the death toll has climbed, with dozens still missing amid rough conditions in the Sulu Sea.
Ferry disaster in southern Philippines – death toll rises to 15 Over 350 aboard MV Trisha Kerstin 3 when technical failure caused rapid capsizing. 316 saved, dozens missing, Coast Guard racing against time This is devastating. RT for awareness
— ZAB Official (@ytZABoFFICIAL) January 26, 2026
Timeline of the Disaster
The ferry departed Zamboanga late Sunday night. Around 12:56 AM local time, distress signals were sent as the vessel began listing heavily. Survivors reported the boat tilting rapidly, with one missing cadet texting family: “Tumagilid ang barko namin, tulong!” (Our boat is tilting, help!).
By early morning, the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 had fully sunk near the Baluk-baluk Islands off Basilan in the Bangsamoro region. Initial reports varied, but confirmed figures show:
- Over 350 onboard (332 passengers + 27 crew, per owner Aleson Shipping Lines)
- At least 316 rescued
- 15–18 confirmed dead (reports from PCG, Reuters, NYT, BBC range 15-18)
- 24–28 still missing (ongoing search as of afternoon Jan 26)
Rescue teams pulled survivors from the water, many clinging to debris or life jackets. Bodies were recovered and brought ashore for identification. Survivors described chaotic scenes as people jumped into the sea or were thrown overboard by the sudden capsizing.
“Tumagilid ang barko namin, tulong!” A cadet undergoing apprenticeship aboard the now-sunken MV Trisha Kerstin, who remains missing as of this writing, managed to inform his family as the ferry began sinking early Monday. Cadet Kyle Punsalang, 22, of Davao City, was among more than 300 passengers on board the ferry. He messaged his family to say that the vessel was sinking and pleaded for help. “Me tagilid among barko. Tabangggg (Tumagilid ang barko namin. Tulong!),” he said in his last message to his family, sent at 12:56 a.m. on January 26.
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) January 26, 2026
Rescue Efforts and Investigations
The PCG deployed multiple vessels and aircraft for round-the-clock operations. Fishing boats joined to aid in spotting survivors or debris. Authorities have ordered a probe into the cause, with early focus on possible overloading, mechanical failure, rough weather, or safety lapses—common factors in past Philippine ferry incidents.
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Aleson Shipping Lines issued a statement confirming the numbers and expressing condolences. Families of the missing, like the brother of cadet Kyle Punsalang, appealed on social media for intensified searches and help locating loved ones.
This disaster highlights ongoing challenges in the Philippines’ inter-island ferry system, where accidents due to weather, overcrowding, and aging vessels occur too frequently despite regulations.
Heartbreaking Stories Emerge
Survivors shared tales of panic and heroism. One cadet’s desperate message to family went viral, underscoring the human cost. As bodies arrived at ports like Isabela City, grieving relatives gathered for identification.
Search operations continue into the afternoon, with hopes of finding more survivors fading but not abandoned. The incident has drawn national attention and calls for stricter maritime safety enforcement.
Our thoughts are with the victims, survivors, and families affected by this tragedy. As the Philippines mourns, the focus remains on rescue and answers for those lost at sea.
