Manila, Jan. 26 (BNA): The death toll from the sinking of a ferry carrying more than 359 people capsized in the southern Philippines, leaving at least 18 people dead, while rescue teams managed to save at least 317 passengers.

According to the German Press Agency (DPA), the coast guard officials said that the MV Trisha Kerstin 3 sank, was travelling from Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines to Jolo island with 332 passengers and 27 crew members on board when it sank off Basilan province.

Commander Romel Dua, an operations officer from a regional office of the coast guard, explained that the cause of the accident was still unknown, but the ferry was travelling about 900 kilometres from the Basilan province.

N.B, Z.H, S.H.A