Philippine Ferry Sinks Off Basilan, 7 Dead, 215 Rescued

A passenger ferry carrying more than 350 people sank off the southern Philippine province of Basilan early Monday, leaving at least seven dead, 215 rescued and dozens more unaccounted for, according to coast guard officials. The incident occurred just after midnight as the vessel traveled from the port city of Zamboanga toward Jolo island in Sulu province.

The MV Trisha Kerstin 3, an interisland cargo and passenger ferry, was carrying 332 passengers and 27 crew members when it encountered technical problems and went down nearly two kilometers from the island village of Balukbaluk in Basilan province, officials said. The weather was clear at the time, and the cause remains under investigation. Coast guard personnel had inspected and cleared the ferry before its departure from Zamboanga, with no indications of overloading.

Rescue operations continued into Monday, involving Philippine coast guard and navy vessels, an air force Black Hawk helicopter, a surveillance plane and local fishing boats. Many survivors were brought to Isabela, the capital of Basilan, for medical attention. Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman, who was at the pier to receive arrivals, described the scene by phone....