The death toll from last week's sinking of a boat carrying hundreds of passengers in the Philippines rose to 52 on Wednesday, after another body was found during the ongoing search operation, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) announced.
"As of this morning, the PCG recorded 52 fatalities and 316 survivors in connection with the sinking of the MV Trisha Kerstin 3," the PCG said in a statement posted on Facebook.
The Coast Guard said technical divers continued operations at the sinking site, but gave no further details on the number of passengers who may still be missing.
The M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 was en route to Jolo Island in Sulu province when it sank in the waters off Baluk-Baluk Island, Basilan. The ship sent out a distress signal at around 1:50 a.m. (17:50 GMT) on January 25, four hours after departing from the Port of Zamboanga City on the southwestern tip of Mindanao.
The Philippines, which is made up of about 7,000 islands, has a long history of deadly ferry accidents due to poorly regulated and often overcrowded vessels.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/death-toll-in-philippine-shipwreck-climbs-to-52-/3826520
