Ferry sinks off Vanuatu: one dead, more than 30 missing
The MV Matui ferry sank off the coast of Vanuatu: one person died and more than 30 people are missing. The vessel departed on Friday from Santo Island for Ambae Island in very rough seas but did not reach its destination.
Search operation
According to The Guardian, there were more than 40 passengers and crew members on board. The office of Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat said that 15 people had been accounted for alive, and one body had also been found.
The search-and-rescue operation is ongoing. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in New Caledonia is assisting in the search, and a French Armed Forces aircraft joined the operation on Sunday morning. The centre said that 12 people had been found on Sunday morning.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Investigation into the circumstances
Vanuatu authorities have launched an investigation into possible negligence. The prime minister's office said that the tragedy was likely linked to strong winds, disregard for maritime warnings and possibly the vessel being overloaded.
Luganville member of parliament Matai Seremaya, who is taking part in the search operation, said that the main efforts would focus on the south-eastern coast. According to him, currents may have carried survivors there.
