The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recovered 11 more bodies during the continuation of its search and rescue (SAR) operations for the missing passengers of the sunken M/V Trisha Kerstin 3 in Basilan, bringing the death toll to 29.

In an update on Thursday, January 29, the PCG said that residents, fishermen, and families of the missing individuals also participated in the SAR operations conducted by the agency. PCG Spokesperson Captain Noemie Cayabyab stated that the remains are undergoing a retrieval procedure led by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRM) Basilan.

The procedure is for authorities to verify the passengers’ identity so that they can inform the relatives of the departed individuals.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the total number of people on board the sunken MV Trisha Kerstin 3. The PCG said it will provide additional information on the latest data collected on the survivors, death toll, and missing passengers.

On Wednesday, the PCG deployed technical divers and utilized a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) in efforts to intensify its SAR operations for the missing passengers. Cayabyab also announced that casualties from the sunken roll-on-roll-off (RoRo) vessel climbed to 18; while 316 passengers were rescued, and 10 remain missing.

Eight of the 10 individuals are crew members, including the ship's captain.