Ferry Carrying Over 350 People Sinks in Philippines; 15 Dead, 28 Missing

A major maritime tragedy struck the southern Philippines early Monday when an inter-island ferry carrying more than 350 passengers and crew sank at sea, leaving at least 15 people dead and 28 still missing, officials said.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard, the ferry was traveling from the port city of Zamboanga to Jolo Island in Sulu province when it developed a technical fault shortly after midnight. The vessel sent a distress signal at around 1:50 a.m. local time, approximately four hours after departure, before going down near Baluk-Baluk Island, about two kilometers off the coast.

The ferry was carrying 332 passengers and 27 crew members at the time of the incident.

Large-Scale Rescue Operation Underway

Rescue teams managed to save at least 301 people, many of whom were taken to Baluk-Baluk Island for immediate assistance. Coast Guard Commander Rommel Dulla confirmed to AFP that 316 individuals were brought ashore, including the deceased.

“Fifteen fatalities have been confirmed so far, while 28 people remain unaccounted for,” Dulla said, adding that search and rescue operations are continuing.

The Philippine Navy and Air Force have joined the operation, deploying vessels, aircraft and personnel to assist the Coast Guard. A Coast Guard aircraft was also dispatched to scan the surrounding waters for survivors.

Survivors Receive Emergency Medical Care

Videos shared on social media by Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman showed rescued passengers being ferried to safety, some carried on stretchers as emergency responders rushed them to medical facilities at Isabela Port in Mindanao.

Speaking to local radio, Hataman said most survivors were in stable condition, but several elderly passengers required urgent medical attention.

Cause of Sinking Under Investigation

The exact cause of the accident remains unknown. Authorities said a formal investigation has been launched to determine whether mechanical failure, human error, or other factors were responsible.

Commander Dulla stated that the ferry had been cleared for departure by port authorities and that there were no indications of overloading at the time of departure.

Maritime Safety Concerns Persist

Maritime accidents are frequent in the Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands where ferries remain a primary mode of transport. Poor vessel maintenance, overcrowding, lax enforcement of safety regulations, and severe weather conditions often contribute to such disasters.

The tragedy once again highlights long-standing concerns over passenger safety and maritime oversight in the country.

As rescue teams continue to comb the waters, families of the missing wait anxiously for news, while authorities brace for the possibility that the death toll could rise further.