A passenger ferry carrying more than 350 people sank off an island in the southern Philippines, killing at least 15 and leaving hundreds rescued, officials said.
The M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, an inter-island cargo and passenger vessel, was en route from Zamboanga City to Jolo in Sulu province with 332 passengers and 27 crew when it developed technical problems and went down shortly after midnight, according to the coast guard.
The ferry sank in calm seas about one nautical mile from Baluk-baluk village in Basilan province early Monday. Survivors were initially brought ashore there, according to media reports.
Coast guard and navy ships, fishing boats, a surveillance aircraft and an air force Black Hawk helicopter joined the search and rescue operation off Basilan.
Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman said dozens of passengers were taken to Isabela City, the provincial capital, where two bodies were recovered.
The coast guard reported that at least 316 people had been rescued as of Monday, with search operations continuing. The cause of the sinking remains unclear, and an investigation has been ordered. Officials said the ferry had passed inspection before departure and showed no signs of overloading.
Maritime accidents are common in the Philippines, often linked to poor vessel maintenance, overcrowding and lax enforcement of safety regulations.
