The death toll in the Philippine ferry disaster involving the roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry Trisha Kerstin 3 has climbed to at least 31 confirmed fatalities as recovery teams continue search and rescue operations off Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan province, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and local officials reported.
The ferry capsized in the early hours of 26 January 2026 while en route from Zamboanga City to Jolo in Sulu province. According to official statements, the vessel was carrying 314 passengers and 27 crew members within its certified capacity of 352 at the time of departure.
The Trisha Kerstin 3 issued a distress call at about 01:50 local time and rapidly listed before sinking approximately 2.75 nautical miles northeast of Baluk-Baluk Island, settling at a depth of about 76 metres. Survivors reported strong waves flooding the lower deck, where vehicles were stowed, causing lashings to fail and the ferry to lose stability and capsize.
Rescue operations mobilised Philippine Coast Guard cutters, naval vessels, military helicopters, commercial craft and local fishermen. Approximately 316 people were rescued from the water and brought ashore in various conditions, some requiring medical care.
Recovery teams have noted discrepancies between the official manifest and the numbers of survivors and bodies recovered, leading to uncertainty about the actual number of people aboard when the ferry sank. Families of missing passengers continue to seek clarity as SAR operations proceed.
In response to the disaster, the Philippine government ordered the entire passenger fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines – the operator of Trisha Kerstin 3 – to be grounded immediately for inspection and compliance reviews. Authorities cited the company’s long history of 32 prior maritime incidents since 2019.
Investigators from the PCG and the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) are probing the exact causes of the capsize, including vessel stability, sea conditions at the time, and the integrity of lashings and safety systems. At present, detailed meteorological or SAR data have not been released publicly.
