Survivors rest on a rescue boat after a ferry sank in waters off Basilan province in the southern Philippines, Jan. 26, 2026. (Philippine Coast Guard/Handout via Xinhua)

MANILA, Jan. 26 (Xinhua)-- At least 15 bodies were recovered and 28 people remained missing after an inter-island ferry carrying at least 350 people sank early Monday morning in waters off Basilan province in the southern Philippines, authorities said.

Romel Dua, a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commander, said at least 316 people were rescued.

The PCG said the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 was en route to Jolo Island in Sulu province from Zamboanga City when it sank before 2 a.m. local time on Monday off Baluk-Baluk Island in Hadji Muhtamad, a municipality in the Sulu Sea.

PCG Chief Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan told reporters in Manila that the vessel left the Zamboanga City port around 9:20 p.m. local time on Sunday.

"The search and rescue operation is ongoing, but what I can say is that the ship is not overloaded. It has a maximum passenger capacity of 350, and the actual passengers on board, as declared by the master, are 332," Gavan said.

He added that the PCG has immediately acted on the incident, saying that all rescue assets in the region are involved.

"There are casualties, but the details are not yet final," he added.

Gavan said the cause of the sinking was still under investigation. ■

Rescuers are at work after a ferry sank in waters near Basilan province, the Philippines, Jan. 26, 2026. (Philippine Coast Guard/Handout via Xinhua)