A ferry carrying more than 350 people capsized off the southern Philippine province of Basilan, killing at least 18 people and leaving others missing, officials said after the accident.
The accident occurred after midnight on Monday, January 26, as passenger vessel MV Trisha Kerstin 3, was on its way to Jolo Island after departing the port city of Zamboanga.
The Philippine Coast Guard reported that there were 332 passengers on the record as well as 27 crew. The vessel issued a distress signal at 1:50 am, about four hours after it departed
Approximately 317 people have been rescued, according to the the Philippine Coast Guard. 18 confirmed dead and 24 still unaccounted for as the ongoing search-and-rescue operation continued.