Jump to content

Sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2026 MV Trisha Kerstin 3 sinking
Image of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3, seven months prior to the incident.
DateJanuary 26, 2026
LocationBasilan, Bangsamoro, Philippines
Deaths18
Missing24

On January 26, 2026, the MV Trisha Kerstin 3, a roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry, sank near Basilan province in the Bangsamoro region of the southern Philippines, leaving 18 people dead and 24 missing. Another 317 were rescued.

Background

[edit]

The ferry was owned by Aleson Shipping Lines and carried 332 passengers and 27 crew members. It left Zamboanga City at 21:20 PHT on January 25 (13:20 UTC) and was heading to Jolo, Sulu. It had a maximum capacity of 352 passengers,[1] three decks and a length of 44 m (144 ft).[2] There was no gale warning in the area at the time of the voyage.[1]

Sinking

[edit]

The ship sank in the early hours of January 26 at a distance of 5 km (3.1 mi) from Baluk-Baluk Island after it issued a distress call at 01:50 PHT (17:50 UTC on January 25).[2] 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.[3] At least 18 people died in the sinking, while 24 others were reported missing. Another 316 were rescued.[1]

Rescue efforts were carried out by local watchmen,[1] private vessels, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine Coast Guard, which deployed the patrol vessel BRP Tubbataha from Zamboanga City.[3] The Philippine Air Force also deployed a Black Hawk helicopter.[4] Survivors were taken to Isabela, Basilan, and Zamboanga City.[2]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "18 dead as RORO vessel sinks off Basilan; rescue ops ongoing for survivors". GMA News Online. January 26, 2026. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  2. ^ a b c "Fifteen dead, 28 missing as ferry sinks off Basilan". ABS-CBN. January 26, 2026. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  3. ^ a b "Strong waves sink vessel off Basilan; at least 15 dead, dozens missing". Rappler. January 26, 2026. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  4. ^ "Ferry with more than 350 people sinks in the southern Philippines leaving at least 15 dead". AP News. January 26, 2026. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sinking_of_MV_Trisha_Kerstin_3&oldid=1334920517"