 The MV Trisha Kerstin 3, seven months prior to the incident | |
| Date | January 26, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Location | Off Baluk-Baluk Island, Sulu Sea, Philippines |
| Cause | Strong waves flooding the lower deck |
| Deaths | 35 |
| Missing | 40 |
On January 26, 2026, the roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry MV Trisha Kerstin 3 sank near Basilan province in the Bangsamoro region of the southern Philippines, leaving at least 35 people dead and 40 missing. Another 316 were rescued.
The ferry was owned by Aleson Shipping Lines and carried 314 passengers and 27 crew members. Prior to its departure, 14 would-be passengers cancelled their reservations, while another failed to board the vessel on time. [1] It left Zamboanga City at 21:20 PHT on January 25 (13:20 UTC) for Jolo, Sulu. It had a maximum capacity of 352 passengers, [2] three decks and a length of 44 m (144 ft). [3] There was no gale warning in the area at the time of the voyage, [2] although the Philippine Coast Guard noted the occurrence of strong winds generated by the northeasterly amihan . [4]
The ship sank in the early hours of January 26 at a distance of 5 km (3.1 mi) from Baluk-Baluk Island in the town of Hadji Muhtamad after it issued a distress call at 01:50 PHT (17:50 UTC on January 25). [5] [3] Strong waves flooded the vessel's lower deck, causing the ship to list and capsize on its starboard side after the harness securing vehicles onboard snapped. [6] Several survivors said that there was a lack of life vests and an emergency alarm system aboard the vessel, although the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) said the ship had more than 500 life vests. [7] The ship was believed to have sunk at a depth of 76 m (249 ft). [8]
At least 35 people, [9] including an infant, a child and a crew member, died in the sinking, [8] [5] while 40 others were reported missing, [9] including the captain, eight crew members, and a safety marshal from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). [10] Conflicting numbers emerged as to the number of casualties, as the initial number of 18 deaths and 10 missing given by authorities on January 27 was contradicted with 11 bodies being recovered on January 29 as survivors said there were more passengers than previously thought. [5] [11] Another 316 were rescued. [1] The sinking was the first major incident involving Aleson Shipping Lines since a fire on the MV Lady Mary Joy 3 in 2023, which killed 31 people and also happened off Baluk-Baluk Island. [12] The Department of Transportation (DOTR) later said that Aleson had incurred 32 safety-related incidents since 2019. [8]
Rescue efforts were carried out by local watchmen, [2] private vessels, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the PCG, which deployed the patrol vessels BRP Capones, BRP Melchora Aquino and BRP Tubbataha from Zamboanga City. [6] [1] It also prepared 16 divers and a remote operated vehicle to participate in search efforts. [13] [14] The Philippine Air Force also deployed a Black Hawk helicopter. [15] Survivors were taken to Isabela, Basilan, and Zamboanga City. [3]
Following the sinking, the DOTR grounded Aleson Shipping Lines's entire passenger fleet pending an investigation [16] and ordered MARINA and the PCG to conduct a maritime safety audit of the company and its crew, along with a nationwide audit of the domestic shipping industry. [17] The suspension caused major travel disruption along the Zamboanga City-Basilan route, particularly in Lamitan, which is served solely by Aleson. [5]
The Department of Social Welfare and Development provided ₱10,000( US$ 203.05) each to the families of two fatalities and pledged ₱5,000( US$ 101.52) each in financial assistance to 134 survivors. [1] The provincial government of Basilan provided ₱1.2 million( US$ 24,365.48) in financial assistance to 223 survivors brought to the province along with relatives of the dead. [7]
Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 2026 | |
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| Shipwrecks |
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| Other incidents |
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