Another body recovered from Trisha Kerstin 3

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February 15, 2026 | 12:00am

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The death toll in the sinking of the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 has increased to 54 after another body was retrieved yesterday from the wreckage of the ship.

Technical divers of the the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) resumed the underwater operation yesterday after taking a break for a day to undergo hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

The PCG said the therapy was intended to ensure the health and safety of divers after a prolonged underwater activity.

The agency said the divers found the body of a man in the general accommodation area of the ship.

The body was transported to the port of Zamboanga for identification by a police forensic team and immediate burial.

Earlier, the PCG committed to locating the remaining 25 missing victims after the diving team suspended on Thursday the search operation at the first deck of the Trisha Kerstin 3 due to strong underwater current.

The PCG said the number of missing victims is based on consolidated and validated figures of the police, city disaster risk reduction and management office, and relatives who coordinated with interagency search and rescue authorities.

The Trisha Kerstin 3 was headed for Jolo in Sulu when it sank near Baluk-Baluk Island in Hadji Muhtammad town on Jan. 26.

The Department of Transportation is eyeing overloading as the cause of the maritime accident.

Authorities said the vessel’s operator, Aleson Shipping Lines, may lose its franchise once investigation showed that the company committed safety lapses.

PCG spokesperson Capt. Noemie Cayabyab said the seach operation is strictly adhering to established safety standards.