Three additional bodies found following Philippine ferry tragedy

Philippine Coast Guard Spokeswoman Captain Noemi Cayabyab told AFP that the area off Baluk-Baluk was experiencing rough sea conditions when Trisha Kerstin 3 suffered water ingress and sank while en route to Sulu province in the early morning (local time) of Monday, January 26.

The coast guard and other partner agencies are continuing to comb the waters off Basilan for any trace of the 24 missing individuals.

Authorities have since launched an investigation into the tragedy, which is the fourth passenger vessel loss to occur in southern Philippine waters in just over a week.

It is also the second fatal passenger vessel incident to occur off Baluk-Baluk following the March 29, 2023 fire that killed 33 people on the grounded ferry Lady Mary Joy 3.