M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 death toll rises to 64 — PCG

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Wednesday that two more bodies were recovered during ongoing underwater operations, bringing the death toll from the sinking of M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 to 64.

The number of survivors remains at 293, while 15 individuals are still missing, the PCG added.

“The PCG emphasizes that these figures are consolidated through the joint validation efforts of the Philippine National Police-Scene of the Crime Operatives (PNP-SOCO), the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao, and the affected families who conduct daily coordination with interagency search and rescue authorities,” it said.

The vessel departed the Port of Zamboanga City for Jolo, Sulu, on the evening of January 25 but sank the following morning in Basilan waters.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said overloading may have contributed to the tragedy, based on a comparison of the number of recovered bodies, rescued survivors, and those still missing against the vessel’s authorized passenger capacity.

The DOTr is also preparing to file administrative cases against Aleson Shipping Lines to cancel and revoke its Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC).—MCG, GMA Integrated News