Fifteen dead, 28 missing as ferry sinks in southern Philippines

The MV Trisha Kerstin 3 issued a distress signal around 1:50 am (1750 GMT Sunday), a bit over four hours after it departed the Port of Zamboanga City on the southwestern tip of Mindanao, the coast guard said in a statement. At least 316 people had so far been rescued, Romel Dua, a coast guard commander, told AFP, with 15 confirmed dead and 28 still unaccounted for. "A coast guard aircraft is also on the way to help the operation. The Navy and Air Force also sent their assets," Dua, who is based in southern Mindanao, told AFP.