A body from MV Trisha Kerstin 3.
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The death toll in the sinking of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 increased to 28 after 11 more bodies were found on Thursday, Jan. 29.
Eleven bodies were found floating on Thursday morning in the vicinity of Baluk-Baluk Island, Basilan province where the vessel sunk.
They were seven women, three men, and a child wearing pajamas. One was believed to be a crew member of the ill-fated vessel.
They were spotted by volunteer rescuers and Coast Guard personnel conducting surveillance and search operations.
A retrieval operation recovered their remains.
Efforts are ongoing to identify the victims and determine if they were passengers or crew members of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3.
The bodies will undergo thorough examination and documentation.
Search and retrieval operations continue.