At least 18 people have died in a ferry accident off the Philippines. Numerous other people are believed to be missing. According to the coast guard, there were 359 people on board at the time of the accident.
The ferry “Trisha Kerstin 3” sank overnight on its route from Zamboanga on the island of Mindanao to the island of Jolo for reasons as yet unexplained. There were apparently 332 passengers and 27 crew members on board.
A spokesman for the Philippine Coast Guard confirmed 18 fatalities and 317 people rescued. The search for around two dozen missing persons is continuing.
The accident occurred off the coast of Basilan province, around 900 km south of Manila. Investigations are underway into the cause of the accident. According to eyewitness reports, sea conditions were calm at the time of the incident.
According to the coast guard, the ship made a distress call around four hours after setting sail. Video footage released by the governor of the province of Basilan shows survivors being cared for on land.
There have been no reports of foreign passengers so far. The island of Jolo is considered sensitive in terms of security policy due to the presence of Islamist groups and is not a tourist destination.
Meanwhile, the ship’s operator, Philippine ferry operator Aleson Shipping Lines, expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and asked for patience while search and rescue operations continue.
Passenger and freight transportation by ship is of central importance in the Philippines. However, due to inadequate safety standards and overcrowding, serious accidents occur time and again. Most recently in 2023, at least 31 people died in a fire on a passenger ferry in the south of the country. The worst shipping disaster in peacetime occurred in 1987 when a ferry collided with a tanker, killing more than 4,000 people.
