Philippine ferry with over 340 aboard capsizes, at least 18 dead

At least 18 people have been confirmed dead and around 10 to 24 others remain missing after a passenger ferry sank early Monday, January 26, 2026, off the coast of Baluk‑Baluk Island in Basilan province in the southern Philippines.

The roll-on/roll-off ferry, MV Trisha Kerstin 3 , was traveling from Zamboanga City to Jolo Island in Sulu province when it began taking on water shortly after midnight. The vessel went down about two to three nautical miles northeast of Baluk‑Baluk Island. Survivors reported that the ferry suddenly tilted and sank within minutes, throwing passengers into the water. Two sea marshals aboard issued a distress call that alerted authorities to deploy rescue units.

Rescue efforts have brought at least 317 passengers and crew to safety. The total number on board has been revised to around 344 after authorities confirmed that about 15 listed passengers did not board. Divers, Philippine Coast Guard and navy vessels, Air Force helicopters, and local boats continue searching for those still missing.

The exact cause of the sinking remains under investigation. Preliminary reports suggest the vessel may have been struck by strong waves, causing water to flood parts of the ship and leading it to list and sink. A coast guard spokesperson and survivors noted that the weather may have been rough at the time, contradicting earlier assessments of calm conditions. Officials said the ferry was not overloaded and had been cleared for departure by port authorities. The Philippine Coast Guard has vowed a thorough inquiry into technical and operational causes once search operations are scaled down.

Maritime accidents remain frequent in the Philippines, an archipelagic nation with around 7,641 islands and thousands of inter‑island ferry routes. Factors such as rough seas, ageing vessels, and gaps in safety enforcement continue to pose risks.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered immediate assistance for victims and their families through the Department of Social Welfare and Development, while investigations by maritime authorities proceed. The Department of Transportation has temporarily grounded the entire passenger fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines , the ferry’s operator, pending safety reviews.