At least 15 people have died after a ferry carrying more than 350 passengers and crew members onboard sank in the waters off the Philippines' southern coast.
Search crews have rescued 316 people on board the MV Trisha Kerstin 3, but at least 28 people are still missing.
The ship, which was both a cargo and passenger ferry, was on its way from the country's southern mainland, Mindanao, to Jolo island further south-west when it issued a distress call at 1:50 local time Monday (17:50 GMT Sunday).
Authorities say they are investigating the cause of the sinking. The Philippines - an archipelago nation of 7,100 islands - has a long history of maritime disasters involving inter-island ferries.
Based on the account of some survivors, the waters in the area were rough at the time, Philippine Coast Guard spokeswoman Noemie Cayabyab said in a televised interview.
A Facebook video by Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman showed survivors wrapped in blankets as they disembarked from a rescue boat.
Rescuers have been overwhelmed by the influx of survivors, Basilan emergency responder Ronalyn Perez noted, expressing that they are currently short-staffed.
Past ferry accidents in the Philippines have often been blamed on poor maintenance and overloading. Despite these dangers, ferries remain a popular mode of transport due to their affordability.
In May 2023, 28 people died after a passenger ferry caught fire, and prior incidents have similarly raised concerns about maritime safety.
Additional reporting by Joel Guinto.
