A ferry carrying over 350 people sank near an island in the southern Philippines early Monday, leaving at least 13 dead, officials said, according to AP.
Rescue teams have so far saved at least 244 passengers, authorities added.
The vessel, M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, an inter-island cargo and passenger ferry, was en route from the port city of Zamboanga to southern Jolo island in Sulu province. At the time of the incident, it was carrying 332 passengers and 27 crew members.
Officials reported that the ferry experienced a technical malfunction and eventually sank shortly after midnight.
The vessel went down in clear weather, roughly one nautical mile (about 2 kilometers) from the island village of Baluk-baluk in Basilan province, coast guard commander Romel Dua told The Associated Press.
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