At least 15 people have died after a ferry carrying more than 350 passengers and crew members onboard sank in the waters off the Philippines' southern coast.
Search crews have rescued 316 people from the MV Trisha Kerstin 3, but at least 28 individuals remain missing.
The ferry was traveling from Mindanao to Jolo island when it issued a distress call at 1:50 local time on Monday.
Authorities are investigating the sinking's cause, as the Philippines, with its 7,100 islands, has a notorious history of maritime disasters.
Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Noemie Cayabyab reported that survivors indicated rough sea conditions at the time of the incident.
Facebook videos showed survivors being rescued and provided with blankets, depicting the overwhelming response from rescuers.
Many ferry accidents in the Philippines have been attributed to poor maintenance and vessel overloading. Despite this, the affordability of ferry travel causes many to continue using these services.
This disaster follows a tragic incident in May 2023, where 28 people died in a ferry fire, highlighting the recurring perils of maritime transport in the region.
Rescue efforts are ongoing as officials work to assess the full scope of the disaster and locate the missing individuals.
