At least 15 dead after ferry carrying 350 sinks off Philippines coast

At least 15 people have died after a ferry carrying more than 350 passengers and crew sank off the southern coast of the Philippines.

Rescue teams have saved 316 people from the MV Trisha Kerstin 3, while at least 28 individuals remain unaccounted for as search operations continue, Caliber.Az reports via British media.

The Philippine Coast Guard said the vessel sent out a distress signal slightly more than four hours after departing from the Port of Zamboanga City, located at the southwestern tip of Mindanao.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the sinking. The Philippines, an archipelago made up of around 7,100 islands, has a long record of deadly maritime incidents involving inter-island ferries.

In previous accidents, poor vessel maintenance and overcrowding have frequently been cited as contributing factors. Nevertheless, ferries remain a common mode of transport for many Filipinos because of their affordability.

In May 2023, 28 people were killed when a passenger ferry caught fire, including three children, one of whom was a six-month-old infant.

A year earlier, at least seven people died after a blaze broke out on a high-speed ferry transporting 134 passengers.

By Jeyhun Aghazada