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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 58 dead in MV Trisha Kerstin 3 sinking; 96 survivors not in passenger manifest — PCG

58 dead in MV Trisha Kerstin 3 sinking; 96 survivors not in passenger manifest — PCG

Published Feb 17, 2026 11:15 am
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) technical divers recover another cadaver from the wreck of the sunken MV Trisha Kirsten 3 on Feb. 16, 2026. A total of 58 people have died in the incident. (Photo: PCG)
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) technical divers recover another cadaver from the wreck of the sunken MV Trisha Kirsten 3 on Feb. 16, 2026. A total of 58 people have died in the incident. (Photo: PCG)
The death toll in the sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3 has climbed to 58 after the Philippine Coast Guard recovered another cadaver during underwater operations on Monday, Feb. 16 in waters off Baluk-Baluk Island, Basilan.
The latest body was retrieved by PCG technical divers who are continuing search and rescue efforts at the site of the maritime incident.
Of the 58 recovered bodies, 11 remain unidentified.
“In the last few days, there have been newly recovered bodies so we have 11 that are still unidentified. The process is ongoing. Once we recover a body, we turn it over to the PDRRMO [provincial disaster risk reduction and management office], and the province then turns it over to the PNP-SOCO for the determination of identity. There are instances when IDs are found with the clothing worn by those recovered,” PCG spokesperson Capt. Noemie Cayabyab said in an interview on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
When asked if some of the fatalities could be individuals not listed in the passenger manifest, she said authorities could not determine that yet.
“We cannot determine that until they are identified,” she said.
Cayabyab also stressed that the operations have not shifted to retrieval mode yet.
“We are still in search and rescue operations. We have not shifted to retrieval, and diving operations are continuing,” she noted.
As of the latest consolidated data, 293 individuals survived the incident. However, the PCG confirmed that not all survivors were listed in the vessel’s passenger manifest.
“Based on the survivors’ data, 96 are not on the manifest and 170 are on the manifest, excluding the crew members who are on the list and those who are not on the list,” Cayabyab said.
At present, 21 individuals remain missing but the PCG said the number may still change.
“This figure is live data. It may change due to the ongoing dive operations. There are also passengers who are not on the manifest” Cayabyab added.
MV Trisha Kerstin 3, operated by Aleson Shipping Lines, sank on Jan. 26 about 2.75 nautical miles northeast of Baluk-Baluk Island after departing Zamboanga City Port.

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PCG MV Trisha Kirsten 3 Baluk-Baluk Island Basilan
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