M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 death toll now 52 —PCG

The fatalities in the sunken M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 in Basilan increased to 52 after one more cadaver was recovered on Wednesday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said. 

In an update, the PCG said another body was recovered during the ongoing search and rescue (SAR) and dive operations in the vicinity waters off Baluk-Baluk Island.

“As of this morning, the PCG recorded 52 fatalities and 316 survivors in connection with the sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3,” the PCG said.

PCG technical divers around 7 a.m. started the operations at the wreck site and after 15 minutes, they recovered one female victim from the sunken vessel.

BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) deployed its rigid-hull inflatable boat to retrieve the body from the dive site, according to the PCG.

The cadaver was secured for proper handling and disposition.

M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 on the evening of January 25 departed from Port of Zamboanga City for Jolo, Sulu but it submerged 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. —AOL, GMA Integrated News