ZAMBOANGA CITY — Rescue operations continued Monday after a ferry with 332 passengers sank off Basilan, with initial reports indicating 12 dead and more than 200 rescued.
The M/V Trisha Kirstin 3 of Aleson Shipping Lines sank around 1 a.m. near Baluk-Baluk Island, Hadji Muhtamad, while en route from Zamboanga City to Jolo, Sulu. The roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessel took on water and listed after waves flooded its lower deck.
Basilan Gov. Mujiv Hataman said 223 passengers, including four fatalities, were brought to Isabela City port. The Philippine Coast Guard, Navy, police and local fishing vessels are conducting search and rescue.
An off-duty crew member told Brigada News FM-Zamboanga that the crew distributed life vests as the boat listed.
“We rushed to the upper decks and awakened the passengers giving them life vests,” he said. He attributed the sinking to a snapped harness for the vehicles on board.
This is the second incident involving an Aleson Shipping vessel in the area after the M/V Lady Mary Joy 3 caught fire in March 2023.