The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed that the death toll from the sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3 in Basilan has risen to 52 after recovering another body during ongoing search and rescue operations.
On Wednesday, February 11, technical divers from the Philippine Coast Guard began operations at the wreck site of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 around 7 a.m. Fifteen minutes into the dive, the team recovered the body of a female victim from inside the submerged vessel. The BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) deployed its rigid-hull inflatable boat to retrieve the body from the dive site, where it was secured for proper handling and disposition.
The vessel had departed from the Port of Zamboanga City on the evening of January 25, bound for Jolo, Sulu, and sank in Basilan waters the following morning. Authorities have recorded 316 survivors from the incident. In response, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) temporarily grounded the entire fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines while maritime authorities conducted a safety and inspection audit.
