PORT VILA, September 13: At least one person has died and more than 30 remain missing after an inter-island ferry sank off the coast of Vanuatu during severe weather, according to Prime Minister Jotham Napat’s office. Search teams are continuing efforts to locate survivors, with 15 people confirmed alive so far.
The vessel, MV Matui, sank on Friday while travelling between the islands of Santo and Ambae, but authorities confirmed the scale of the disaster and latest search figures on Sunday.
Search Shifts Towards South-East Coast
Search-and-rescue operations initially focused on open waters around the area where the ferry went down.
Authorities have now begun concentrating efforts along the south-east coastline, where ocean currents may have carried survivors or debris from the vessel.
International assistance has also been mobilised, including support from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in New Caledonia and a French Armed Forces aircraft helping with aerial searches.
Rough Seas Hit Ferry Route
The ferry sank during a period of dangerous marine conditions.
Vanuatu’s Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department had issued a marine strong-wind warning for all coastal waters, forecasting southeast winds of up to 30 knots and very rough seas reaching around three metres in northern waters.
Officials said strong winds appear to have played a major role in the accident.
Government Raises Possible Negligence
Prime Minister Jotham Napat’s office said preliminary information suggested that marine warnings may not have been heeded.
The government also raised the possibility of negligence, including possible overloading of the vessel, although a formal investigation is still required to establish exactly what caused the ferry to sink.
Authorities have not yet announced any final findings on responsibility.
Fifteen People Found Alive
Of those known to have been aboard, 15 passengers or crew members have been accounted for alive, while one body has been recovered.
More than 30 people remain unaccounted for, making the operation increasingly urgent as rescue teams search both coastal waters and nearby shorelines.
Prime Minister Napat expressed condolences to the family of the person who died and offered support to relatives awaiting information about those still missing.
Investigation Expected Into Maritime Safety
Authorities are expected to examine whether safety procedures, passenger limits and official marine warnings were followed before the MV Matui departed.
The disaster has also renewed concern about the risks of inter-island travel during severe weather in Pacific island nations, where ferries remain an essential form of transportation between remote communities.
Search operations are continuing, and the casualty figures could change as authorities receive further information.
source – Reuters / Vanuatu Prime Minister’s Office / Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department
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