A ferry carrying 332 passengers and 27 crew members sank early Monday, January 26, 2026, off the coast of Basilan province in the southern Philippines. According to reports cited by Al Jazeera, at least 15 bodies have been recovered while 43 people remain missing. Divers from the Philippine Coast Guard rescued 138 passengers alive, and 18 of them are currently receiving hospital treatment. The incident occurred shortly after the vessel, named Trisha Kerstin 3, departed from Zamboanga City en route to Jolo Island in Mindanao.

Local authorities, including Basilan Mayor Arsina Laja Kathing Nanoh and the provincial branch of the Coast Guard, confirmed the rescue operations. Disaster management spokesperson Ronalin Perez said the focus remains on saving passengers and ensuring their safety. Joint efforts are underway with the Mindanao provincial administration to accelerate the rescue mission.

The exact cause of the sinking has not yet been determined, and officials continue to investigate while prioritizing ongoing search and rescue operations.