Basilan: The death toll has risen to 52 in the sinking of a ferry off Basilan province in the southern Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Wednesday. In a statement, the coast guard confirmed that technical divers retrieved the body of a woman from inside the submerged vessel. The ill-fated ferry had departed from Zamboanga City port on the evening of January 25, heading towards Jolo City, before it sank in the waters of Basilan.
According to Kuwait News Agency, authorities have recorded 316 survivors from the incident. The Philippine Department of Transportation has decided to temporarily suspend the entire fleet of Allison Shipping Lines, the operator of the stricken vessel. This decision will remain in place pending the completion of a comprehensive review of safety procedures by maritime authorities. Given the Philippines' reliance on sea travel across its 7,000 islands, maintaining strict safety standards and conducting regular inspections are crucial to preventing frequent maritime disasters and saving lives.