BASILAN PROVINCE, Philippines — At least 15 people were killed after a passenger ferry carrying more than 350 individuals sank in waters off the southern Philippines, authorities said Monday, as rescue teams continued searching for missing passengers.
The ferry was traveling overnight from Zamboanga City to Jolo Island when it ran into trouble in rough seas before dawn. According to officials, the vessel began to tilt sharply before taking on water, forcing passengers to abandon ship in darkness.
Survivors described scenes of panic as the ferry suddenly lost stability. Some passengers jumped into the water, while others struggled to put on life jackets amid confusion and screaming.
“There was no warning,” one survivor said. “The ship leaned to one side, and people started falling. Then the water rushed in.”
Children, elderly passengers, and families were among those on board. Several survivors said they were separated from relatives during the chaos and were unsure who had made it out safely.
The Philippine Coast Guard, supported by naval and air force units as well as local fishermen, launched an immediate rescue operation after receiving a distress call. Search teams worked through the night and into the morning, pulling survivors from the sea and transporting them to nearby ports.
Officials said more than 300 people were rescued, many suffering from injuries, shock, and hypothermia after spending hours in the water. The confirmed death toll stood at 15, with several passengers still unaccounted for.
Hospitals in nearby areas were placed on emergency status as survivors were brought in for treatment.
At ports and temporary shelters, families anxiously waited for information, calling out names and scanning survivor lists posted by authorities.
“We are still hoping,” said one man searching for his missing sister. “Until we know for sure, we won’t stop waiting.”
Local governments set up assistance centers to provide food, medical care, and psychological support for survivors and grieving families.
Authorities said the ferry had been authorized to sail and initial reports did not indicate overcrowding. However, an investigation has been launched to determine whether weather conditions, mechanical problems, or operational failures contributed to the sinking.
Officials acknowledged ongoing concerns over maritime safety in the Philippines, where ferries remain a critical mode of transportation across the country’s thousands of islands.
Ferry travel is a daily necessity for many Filipinos, particularly in remote regions. But accidents at sea continue to claim lives, often exposing gaps in safety enforcement and emergency preparedness.
As search efforts continue, officials said they remain focused on finding the missing and supporting those affected by one of the country’s deadliest maritime incidents this year.
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