Metro Manila, Philippines – The death toll from the sunken MV Trisha Kerstin 3 rose to 58, with technical divers seen to complete their search for possible trapped victims in the wreck site as early as the weekend, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson said on Monday, Feb. 16.
In an interview with PTV’s Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, Capt. Noemie Cayabyab said technical divers face strong current in their diving operations off Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan, especially that the vessel was on its side at the sea floor.
Cayabyab said divers explored around 40 to 45 percent of the ferry in over two weeks.
“Buong deck A, kasama ‘yong economy cabin at bridge, kung saan nando’n nagse-stay ang mga kapitan at navigators, na-search na ‘yan at nasuyod nila,” she said in the televised interview.
“Ngayon nasa deck B na sila ng barko, cargo deck, engineer room, at cabin crew,” she said.
[Translation: The divers have searched extensively deck A covering the economy cabin and the bridge where captains and navigators stay. They are now looking at deck B which has the cargo deck, engineer room, and rooms for the cabin crew.]
On Monday, PCG said divers recovered one body to bring the death toll to 58, 21 others are missing, while 293 survived when the vessel sank in the early hours of Jan. 26.
Among the dead was Army SSgt Windel Sabuyas Jr. who was found on Saturday. Witnesses said he was last seen assisting an elderly woman and a child with their life vests.
The Department of Transportation earlier announced it will file administrative cases against the shipowner and operator Aleson Shipping Lines Inc. as initial investigation revealed overloading as among the potential causes of the sinking. Authorities also found “safety deficiencies” on the Trisha Kerstin 3.
The agency also suspended a number of personnel from the PCG and the Maritime Industry Authority.
