Ferry Accident with 359 Passengers, 15 Dead in the Philippines

A tragic maritime disaster struck the southern Philippine province of Basilan early on Monday, 26 January, when a passenger ferry carrying 332 passengers and 27 crew members capsized. Rescue authorities have so far recovered the bodies of 15 victims, while at least 43 remain unaccounted for, according to reports from Al Jazeera.

The Philippine Coast Guard’s diving teams have successfully rescued 138 survivors, many of whom are receiving urgent medical care. Basilan Mayor Arcina Laza Kathing Nanoh and local Coast Guard officials have confirmed these figures, highlighting the scale of the ongoing rescue operation.

The ill-fated vessel, named Trisha Kerstin 3, had departed at dawn from Zamboanga City in Basilan, bound for Jolo Island in the neighbouring province of Mindanao. Eyewitnesses report that the ferry sank within minutes of setting off. The exact cause of the disaster remains under investigation, though officials are prioritising the recovery of passengers over speculation.

Disaster response spokesperson Ronalin Perez told AFP: “We have so far rescued 138 people alive. Among them, 18 are currently undergoing treatment in hospital.” He added that coordination with Mindanao’s provincial authorities is underway to accelerate rescue operations. “We are facing personnel shortages at this moment, and to expedite the operation, we are working jointly with the Mindanao Disaster Management Office. The provincial authorities are overseeing the overall coordination of these efforts,” Perez explained.

Maritime accidents, though relatively rare, have occurred with some frequency in the Philippines, a nation of approximately 116 million people spread across more than 7,000 islands. In 2023, a ferry fire in the southern Philippines claimed 30 lives, underscoring the persistent safety challenges in the country’s busy inter-island transport sector.

Ferry Disaster Summary – Basilan, 26 January 2026

Rescue teams continue to search the waters for the missing passengers, as local and provincial authorities work together to manage the unfolding humanitarian crisis.