BASILAN, Philippines — The death toll in the tragic sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3 continues to climb after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recovered another cadaver during ongoing search, rescue, and dive operations off the waters of Baluk-Baluk Island in Basilan on Tuesday morning, February 11, 2026. Authorities said technical divers began descending to the wreck site at around 7:00 a.m., and within 15 minutes, the dive team located and retrieved the body of a female victim trapped inside the sunken vessel. The recovery was carried out with the assistance of the BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702), which deployed a rigid-hull inflatable boat to transport the remains from the dive site for proper handling and disposition by concerned agencies.
Death Toll Climbs, Search Operations Continue
With the latest recovery, the PCG confirmed that fatalities linked to the maritime disaster have reached 52, while 316 passengers have so far been rescued and survived the incident. Search and recovery operations remain ongoing as authorities race against time and difficult underwater conditions to locate other possible victims who may still be inside the wreck. PCG officials said divers are continuing systematic sweeps of the vessel’s compartments, prioritizing passenger areas where individuals may have been trapped during the sinking.
The Coast Guard reiterated its commitment to exhausting all possible efforts to account for every passenger and crew member, noting that each recovery brings both answers and renewed grief to families still waiting for news of their loved ones.
Overloading Eyed as Possible Cause
As recovery efforts persist, government authorities are now focusing on the possible causes of the tragedy. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) disclosed on Wednesday that overloading may have played a critical role in the sinking of MV Trisha Kerstin 3. During a national press briefing, DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez cited preliminary findings from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the PCG, indicating that the combined weight of passengers and rolling cargo likely exceeded the vessel’s safe operating capacity.
“Overloading or overcapacity is the combined rate of the passengers and the rolling cargoes versus the actual capacity the vessel can handle, which may have caused cargo to shift, affecting the vessel’s stability,” Lopez explained. He stressed that excessive weight and improperly secured cargo can severely compromise a ship’s balance, making it vulnerable to capsizing, especially in rough sea conditions.
Calls for Accountability and Maritime Safety Reforms
Maritime experts and safety advocates have renewed calls for stricter enforcement of passenger and cargo limits following the incident, warning that overcapacity remains a recurring and deadly problem in the country’s sea transport system. Authorities emphasized that adherence to safety regulations, including accurate passenger manifests, proper cargo loading, and routine vessel inspections, is essential to preventing similar disasters.
The DOTr, MARINA, and PCG said a full-scale investigation is underway to determine responsibility and to establish whether negligence, regulatory lapses, or violations of maritime safety laws contributed to the tragedy. Officials vowed that those found accountable will face appropriate legal and administrative action.
Families Await Answers
Meanwhile, families of victims continue to gather at ports and evacuation centers in Basilan and nearby areas, clinging to hope while preparing for the worst. For many, each recovery brings both closure and heartbreak, underscoring the human cost of maritime accidents and the urgent need for reforms.
As search and recovery operations continue in the waters off Baluk-Baluk Island, authorities urged shipping operators to prioritize safety over profit and convenience, warning that failure to do so puts countless lives at risk. The tragedy of MV Trisha Kerstin 3, officials said, must serve as a painful reminder that strict compliance with maritime safety standards is not optional—but a matter of life and death.