Death Toll Reaches 52 in Basilan Ferry Tragedy as Recovery Efforts Continue
The tragic maritime incident involving the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 has taken another somber turn as the number of confirmed fatalities has increased to fifty-two. This update follows the recovery of an additional cadaver during ongoing search, rescue, and dive operations conducted near Baluk-Baluk Island in Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan province, on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
Coast Guard Technical Divers Retrieve Female Victim
According to the Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao (CGDSWM), a team of specialized technical divers successfully recovered one female victim from the sunken vessel. The dive operation commenced at approximately 7 a.m. local time at the wreck site, which lies approximately 2.75 nautical miles northeast of Baluk-Baluk Island.
The CGDSWM stated in an official release that the BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) of the Philippine Coast Guard deployed its rigid-hull inflatable boat to retrieve the body from the dive location. The cadaver was then properly secured for handling and disposition, adhering to established protocols for such sensitive recoveries.
Updated Casualty Figures and Ongoing Identification Process
As of the morning of February 11, 2026, the Philippine Coast Guard has officially recorded fifty-two fatalities and three hundred sixteen survivors connected to the sinking of the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3. The vessel was en route from Zamboanga City to Jolo, Sulu when it met with disaster on January 26, 2026.
In a related development, the Regional Field Unit of the Scene of Crime Operatives (RFU-Soco) is currently engaged in the meticulous process of identifying a human head that was also recovered by technical divers from the sunken vessel on Wednesday. Authorities are investigating whether this head belongs to the decapitated minor whose body was retrieved from the wreckage on Tuesday, highlighting the complex and distressing nature of the identification efforts.
Background of the Maritime Disaster
The M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 sank on January 26, 2026, in the waters off Baluk-Baluk Island, Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan province. The incident has sparked extensive search and rescue operations, with the Philippine Coast Guard and other agencies working tirelessly to account for all passengers and crew. The recovery of this latest victim underscores the persistent challenges and dangers faced by rescue teams in such underwater environments.
This tragedy continues to draw attention to maritime safety issues in the region, as communities mourn the loss of lives and support the survivors and families affected by this devastating event.
