The Doña Paz was a passenger ferry that tragically sank after colliding with the MT Vector, an oil tanker, in the Tablas Strait of the Philippines. On a crowded night, the ferry was traveling from Leyte to Manila when the two vessels unexpectedly collided. The impact ignited the fuel from the tanker, causing a massive fire that quickly spread throughout the ferry. Reports indicate that the ferry was severely overcrowded, carrying far more passengers than its designated capacity, further complicating a rescue operation that was already hindered by the fire and chaos.The ensuing disaster became the worst peacetime maritime accident in history. While the official death toll was reported at 1,749, estimates suggest that as many as 4,000 people may have perished in total, as many passengers were never accounted for. Rescue efforts were overwhelmed, as the Philippine Coast Guard and local fishermen attempted to save those who jumped into the sea amidst the flames. This tragedy raised urgent questions about safety protocols in the Philippine maritime industry, which were scrutinized in the aftermath for lax regulations concerning passenger safety and vessel operations.The impact of this disaster resonated far beyond the immediate loss of life. It led to a profound re-evaluation of maritime laws and safety regulations in the Philippines, spurring debates about the adequacy of inspections, emergency preparedness, and vessel operation standards. The Philippine government faced criticisms for the management of the incident and systemic issues that contributed to such a catastrophic loss of life.