At least one individual has lost their life and more than 30 are currently missing following the sinking of a ferry near the coast of Vanuatu. The information was confirmed in a statement issued by the office of Prime Minister Jotham Napat.
The MV Matui, an inter-island vessel, went down on Friday amid severe weather conditions while traveling between the islands of Ambae and Santo in northern Vanuatu, according to reports from New Zealand public broadcaster RNZ.
Prime Minister Napat’s office stated on Facebook that 15 crew members and passengers have been accounted for and are alive. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing, though the government noted a strategic shift in the response. Efforts in open waters are being scaled back in favor of searching the south-east coast, where officials believe currents may have driven survivors ashore.
In its statement, the Vanuatu government indicated that the disaster appeared to stem from strong winds and a failure to heed marine warnings. Officials also suggested possible negligence, including the vessel being overloaded, and announced that a comprehensive investigation would follow to establish the precise causes and prevent future incidents.
Requests for comment from Vanuatu police, the Maritime Safety Authority, and the ferry operator, Tui Shipping Agency, were not immediately returned, as reported by Reuters.
It is heartbreaking news. Sending thoughts to everyone affected by this tragedy in the Pacific.
Vanuatu weather is no joke. How tragic that a routine ferry trip turned into such a disaster.
Overloaded and ignoring warnings? This feels like negligence. Someone needs to be held accountable after the investigation.
Praying for the missing thirty-plus. I hope the shift to searching the coast yields results soon.