The death toll in the sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3 has climbed to 53 after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) accounted for a severed head recovered during dive operations off Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan, a ranking official reported on Friday, Feb. 13.

PCG spokesperson Capt. Noemie Cayabyab said the severed head was retrieved by its technical diving group (TDG) on February 11 and have been officially recorded as an additional fatality.

The recovery came as divers resumed search and retrieval operations at the wreck site. The team attempted to access the first-deck port-side cabin, identified as the primary target search area.

Strong underwater currents estimated at around three knots prevented entry into the section, Cayabyab said.

Due to safety considerations, the divers shifted to a secondary target area and searched the vessel’s VIP accommodation section where underwater conditions were safer and more manageable.

Meanwhile, the PCG adjusted the number of survivors to 293 from the previous report of 316.

“This revision reflected the verification of passenger identities, including survivors listed in the manifest, individuals who survived, but were later confirmed to have not been listed, as well as declared and undeclared crew members,” Cayabyab explained.

As of Feb. 12, the PCG has recorded 293 survivors, 53 fatalities, and 26 individuals still missing.

“Most of the fatalities are passengers listed in the vessel’s manifest. However, six recovered bodies remain unidentified and have not yet been removed from the list of missing persons,” Cayabyab noted.

The figures were consolidated with the Philippine National Police-Scene of the Crime Operatives (PNP-SOCO), the Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), and Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao.

The numbers were also verified through coordination with affected families, Cayabyab added.