A passenger ferry carrying over 300 people capsized near Basilan in the southern Philippines, leaving 15 dead and many missing in the Philippines ferry tragedy.
BASILAN: A tragic Philippines ferry tragedy unfolded off the southern province of Basilan, where at least 15 people have died and over 140 remain missing after a passenger ferry capsized early Monday morning. The boat was travelling from Zamboanga to Jolo in Sulu province when the incident occurred shortly after midnight.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the vessel was carrying 332 passengers along with 27 crew members. As of the latest updates, 215 individuals have been rescued, while seven bodies have been recovered. Rescue teams are continuing their search for the remaining 144 people.
Coast Guard Commander Romel Dua, who oversees the Southern Mindanao District, confirmed that a full investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. Authorities have yet to release further details, though poor weather conditions and overloading are common contributing factors in maritime incidents in the region.
Rescue operations have been hampered by unstable sea conditions, but the Philippine Coast Guard, along with local authorities and fishing vessels, remains active in the ongoing effort to locate survivors and recover those unaccounted for.
Maritime safety continues to be a significant concern in the Philippines, an archipelago nation where sea travel is common. The Philippines ferry tragedy has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and improved emergency response preparedness across the country’s maritime routes.
Families of passengers are gathering at ports and emergency response centres awaiting news of loved ones, while the government has pledged support for those affected. The situation remains fluid as search and rescue operations intensify.
