THE death toll from the sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3 has climbed to 57 after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recovered three more bodies on Sunday, February 15.
PCG spokesperson Capt. Noemie Cayabyab said coast guard technical divers retrieved the cadavers during underwater operations in waters off Baluk-Baluk Island.
“The Philippine Coast Guard technical divers recovered three cadavers during underwater operations in connection with the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 maritime incident,” Cayabyab said.
Authorities reported that aside from the 57 confirmed fatalities, 22 individuals remain missing, while 293 passengers have survived the tragedy.
The PCG noted that the casualty figures were verified through consolidated data from the Philippine National Police–Scene of the Crime Operatives (PNP-SOCO), the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao, and affected families who coordinate daily with inter-agency search and rescue teams.
Search and retrieval operations are ongoing as relatives continue to wait for updates on the missing passengers.
The vessel, operated by Aleson Shipping Lines, sank approximately 2.75 nautical miles northeast of Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan after departing from Zamboanga City Port on January 26.