One person has died and more than 30 remain missing after the MV Matui ferry sank off the coast of Vanuatu, the government says. The vessel had more than 40 passengers and crew aboard when it left Santo for Ambae on Friday in very rough seas and failed to arrive.
Fifteen people have been accounted for alive and one body has been recovered, according to a statement from Prime Minister Jotham Napat’s office. Search and rescue operations are continuing.
Search teams focus on waters near Ambae
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in New Caledonia is assisting with the operation, and a French Armed Forces aircraft was deployed on Sunday morning. The centre said 12 people were located that morning.
Matai Seremaiah, the member of parliament for Luganville who is helping with the search, said efforts would focus on Vanuatu’s south-east coast, where currents may have carried survivors.
Investigation examines warnings and possible overloading
The government has launched an investigation into potential negligence. The prime minister’s office said the loss appeared to involve strong winds and marine warnings that were not heeded, and possibly negligence including overloading of the vessel.
The office expressed condolences to the families of those who died or remain missing and said the nation stood with them. Read the context: Nepal flood disaster leaves thousands missing as rescue access remains difficult.
What happens next
Search and rescue operations are continuing, with teams concentrating on the south-east coast and receiving assistance from New Caledonia and France.
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