The Philippine Coast Guard reported that at least seven people were killed after a passenger vessel?carrying over 300 people capsized near the southern Philippine province of?Basilan.

After midnight, the accident happened on Monday, as MV Trisha Kerstin 3 was traveling from Zamboanga to Jolo, in Sulu Province. The PCG reported that the vessel carried 332 passengers and 27 crew.

The Coast Guard Commander Romel Dua, of the Southern?Mindanao District, told DZBB Radio that?215 people have been?rescued and seven bodies were recovered. Search and rescue operations are continuing for 144 other missing persons.

Dua stated that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident.

Mujiv hataman, the governor of Basilan, shared clips on Facebook?from Isabela port, Mindanao?, which showed survivors being ushered from boats. Some were wrapped in thermal blankets and others carried 'on stretchers.

In the Philippines, a country with more than 7,000 islands and a patchy maritime safety record, scores of people are killed each year in ferry accidents.

(source: Reuters)