The death toll from the tragic ferry disaster off the coast of Basilan province in the southern Philippines has continued to rise as recovery efforts proceed.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that according to official data provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, the confirmed number of fatalities has reached 62.
Divers deployed to the scene have recovered several more bodies from underwater following intensive search and rescue operations at the site of the shipwreck. Authorities noted that the challenging maritime conditions have complicated the recovery process, though teams remain on high alert to locate any remaining passengers.
Investigations into the exact cause of the accident and the precise number of missing persons are currently ongoing. Maritime safety in the Philippines, an archipelago nation, has long been a point of concern due to frequent tropical storms, poorly maintained vessels, and instances of overcrowding. This latest incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the country's transportation sector in ensuring passenger safety across its vast territorial waters.
