M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 death toll now 45 — PCG

The fatalities in the sunken M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 in Basilan climbed to 45 after two more cadavers were recovered on Wednesday, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

In an update, the PCG said the two additional bodies were recovered during the ongoing search and rescue (SAR) operations in the vicinity waters off Baluk-Baluk Island.

The remains are set to undergo identification and proper disposition.

“With this development, the total number of fatalities has increased to 45, while the number of survivors remains at 316,” the PCG said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said it has started the process in identifying the recovered cadavers through a DNA analysis.

According to the PNP, the families of the victims have already begun providing DNA samples to its Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) for the identification of the bodies.

M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 on the evening of January 25 departed from Port of Zamboanga City for Jolo, Sulu but it sank in Basilan waters on the morning of January 26.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) earlier grounded the entire fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines as authorities conducted a maritime safety and inspection audit following the incident. —RF, GMA Integrated News