Philippines ferry disaster leaves dozens dead or missing

Rescue teams continued combing rough waters off the southern Philippines after a passenger ferry capsized and sank, leaving at least 15 people dead and more than 300 pulled to safety, according to officials coordinating the response. Several passengers remained unaccounted for as the operation entered a critical phase, with authorities warning that changing weather and strong currents were hampering search efforts.

The wooden-hulled ferry went down during a routine inter-island crossing in the waters south of Mindanao, an area where ferries remain a lifeline for coastal communities. Survivors said the vessel encountered heavy seas shortly after departure, triggering panic as water flooded the lower deck. Some passengers were able to cling to floating debris, while others were rescued by nearby fishing boats before coast guard units arrived.

Authorities said at least 316 people were rescued, many suffering from exhaustion, dehydration and minor injuries. They were taken to nearby ports and hospitals for treatment and identification. The confirmed death toll stood at 15 by Monday, based on bodies recovered at sea and along the coastline. Officials cautioned that the figure could rise as search teams expanded the radius of operations.

The coast guard deployed patrol vessels, aircraft and divers to scour the area, working alongside local fishermen familiar with the currents and reefs. Emergency responders also set up temporary shelters to assist survivors, many of whom lost personal belongings and travel documents in the sinking. Family members gathered at ports and municipal halls seeking information about missing relatives, heightening pressure on authorities to provide timely updates.

Initial assessments pointed to overcrowding and unstable sea conditions as possible contributing factors, though investigators stressed that the cause had not been formally established. Passenger ferries in the archipelago are required to comply with strict safety limits, including caps on passenger numbers and mandatory weather clearances. Enforcement, however, has long been uneven, particularly in remote regions where demand for transport often outpaces available vessels.

The tragedy has reignited debate over maritime safety in the Philippines, a nation of more than 7,000 islands where ferries are essential for commerce, education and family travel. Maritime incidents have occurred periodically despite regulatory reforms introduced over the past decade, including tighter inspections, improved weather monitoring and public awareness campaigns. Safety advocates argue that ageing fleets, lax compliance and economic pressures on operators continue to pose risks.

Officials overseeing transport safety said a full investigation would examine the ferry’s passenger manifest, loading procedures and maintenance records, as well as the decision-making process that allowed the voyage to proceed amid challenging conditions. Survivors’ accounts will form a key part of the inquiry, alongside data from port authorities and meteorological agencies.

Local government leaders expressed condolences to the families of those who died and pledged support for those affected. Emergency funds were released to cover medical care, burial assistance and temporary accommodation. Counselling services were also arranged for survivors traumatised by the ordeal, particularly children and elderly passengers.