The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has located the sunken passenger ferry MV Trisha Kerstin 3 in waters off Baluk-Baluk Island, Basilan, as the death toll from the incident increased to 45 following the latest recovery operations.

The PCG said two bodies were recovered on February 4, raising the total number of confirmed fatalities to 45. The number of survivors remains at 316.

Earlier, on February 3, the Coast Guard confirmed the possible location of the wreck during dive operations. The vessel was found lying on the seabed in an east-to-west position relative to Baluk-Baluk Island.

One body was recovered during that operation, which had increased the death toll at the time to 43.

Search and rescue efforts are being carried out by a joint team made up of government agencies, local authorities, and volunteer fisherfolk.

All recovered remains have been sent for identification and proper disposition, according to the Coast Guard.

The divers’ findings were supported by images captured using side-scan SONAR, which showed a shape consistent with a vessel.

The operator of the equipment said the team was almost certain the images showed MV Trisha Kerstin 3, although clearer confirmation using a multi-beam echo sounder has not yet been obtained.

Operations have been made difficult by strong winds and large waves in the area. Conditions worsened after a low-pressure area developed into Tropical Depression Basyang, affecting visibility and dive operations.

MV Trisha Kerstin 3 sank off the coast of Basilan at around 1 a.m. on January 26. After the incident, authorities grounded the passenger fleet of Aleson Shipping Lines, which owns the ferry, as part of ongoing investigations.

Search and recovery operations are continuing, with divers expected to return to the site when weather conditions improve.

References: PNA, abs-cbn