MV Trisha Kerstin death toll now 40 as 3 more bodies found in Basilan

The number of deaths from the ill-fated M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 has climbed to 40 on Sunday after three more cadavers were recovered in the waters off Basilan.

The Philippine Coast Guard retrieved the cadavers after they were found by the Hadji Muhtamad local government.

In a social media post, PCG said two bodies were retrieved from Baluk-Baluk Island, while another was found near Lantawan Island. 

The PCG also confirmed that among the bodies recovered in the waters off Baluk-Baluk Island was Coast Guard Seaman First Class Alkhaizar Hadjail. His identity was verified through established procedures and in coordination with his family.

The recovered bodies will be brought to Zamboanga City for identification and proper disposition.

The Roll On-Roll Off passenger ferry departed from Port of Zamboanga City on January 25, Sunday, and was en route to Jolo, Sulu, when it submerged in Basilan waters the following day.

From the initial count of 19, 11 more bodies were recovered on Thursday, four on Friday, and three on Saturday.

Clarifying earlier reports, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the death toll stands at 40, while the number of survivors totals 316.

Citing the Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao, the PCG said the updated figures account for one additional fatality—a six-month-old female infant.

The victim was turned over to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Basilan on January 26, prior to her transfer to Zamboanga City for proper disposition.

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) said it would review survivors’ claims of insufficient life vests, missing names on the passenger manifest, and that the sunken ferry was a replacement for another vessel. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF/MCG, GMA Integrated News