Fatalities from the sinking of the roll-on/roll-off ferry MV Trisha Kerstin 3 have risen to 33 after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported the retrieval of four more bodies on Thursday evening.

Residents, relatives, fishermen, and Coast Guard personnel also recovered 11 additional bodies on Thursday near Baluk-Baluk Island, although only nine of the victims have so far been claimed by their families.

The PCG said the number of survivors remains at 316.

To strengthen search and retrieval operations, the Coast Guard deployed BRP Melchora Aquino to the area where the vessel sank on January 26.

The MV Trisha Kerstin 3 went down off the coast of Basilan in the early morning of 26 January. Authorities said the ferry was carrying 334 passengers and 27 crew members at the time of its departure.