Death toll from Philippines vessel incident climbs to 39

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) – The death toll from last week’s sinking of a vessel carrying hundreds of passengers in the Philippines rose to 39 on Sunday, the Philippine News Agency reported.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that three more bodies were recovered on Sunday as search and rescue operations continue for the sunken M/V Trisha Kerstin 3.

"The total number of fatalities has risen to 39, while the survivor count remains at 316," the PCG said.

The M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 was en route to Jolo Island in Sulu province before it submerged in the waters off Baluk-Baluk Island, Basilan. The vessel issued a distress signal at around 1.50 am (1750GMT) on Jan. 25, four hours after it departed the Port of Zamboanga City on the southwestern tip of Mindanao.

The Philippines, comprising 7,000 islands, has a long history of deadly ferry accidents due to cheap and poorly regulated boats and ships.