An inter-island passenger ferry sank in the southern waters of the Philippines after departing at midnight. There were a total of 359 passengers and crew on board. Rescue teams have so far saved 215 people, found 7 dead, and are urgently searching for the remaining missing.
On 26 January 2026, AFP news agency reported that the ferry "M/V Trisha Kirsten 3," a passenger and cargo vessel operating between islands, sank at around midnight in the southern waters of the Philippines.
The Philippine Coast Guard revealed that the ferry departed from Zamboanga City heading to Jolo Island in Sulu Province, carrying 332 passengers and 27 crew members, totaling 359 people. The ferry encountered technical problems and sank at sea. Authorities have rescued at least 215 passengers from the water and found 7 bodies. Some survivors and bodies have been brought ashore at Isabela City, the capital of Basilan Province near the incident site. The Coast Guard and Philippine Navy are continuing urgent search and rescue operations in cooperation with local fishing boats in the area.
Source: AFP / CNN