Zamboanga city: The death toll from the sinking of a vessel carrying hundreds of passengers in the Philippines has risen to 28, with 10 individuals still missing, as reported by media outlets on Tuesday, citing official sources.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Department of Transportation has ordered the grounding of the entire passenger fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines, which owns the sunken M/V Trisha Kerstin 3. Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez stated that search and rescue operations are ongoing, and authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident.

Lopez also highlighted that the vessel had 317 passengers and 27 crew members on its manifest, but nearly 50 ticketed passengers were not aboard during the voyage. Authorities are actively searching for eight crew members, the ship’s captain, and a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) marshal who remain unaccounted for.

The M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 was on its way to Jolo Island in Sulu province when it submerged in the waters off Baluk-Baluk Island, Basilan. The vessel sent out a distress signal at approximately 1.50 am (1750GMT) on Sunday, four hours after leaving the Port of Zamboanga City on the southwestern tip of Mindanao.

Fortunately, no oil spill has been detected from the vessel. The Philippines, an archipelago consisting of 7,000 islands, has a history marked by numerous deadly ferry accidents, often attributed to the use of inexpensive and poorly regulated boats and ships.