Authorities in Vanuatu have confirmed that at least one person died and 30 others remain missing after the inter-island ferry MV Matui capsized in rough seas on Friday. The vessel, operated by Tui Shipping Agency, departed from Santo Island bound for Ambae Island, a journey of approximately 96 kilometers, but failed to arrive at its destination.
The prime minister’s office stated Sunday that only one body has been recovered, while 15 passengers have been confirmed alive. The remaining individuals are presumed lost at sea. Prime Minister Jotham Napat expressed frustration over the delayed response, asserting control of the search and rescue operations on Sunday afternoon after being unable to reach senior officials.
In a statement released Sunday, Napat’s office indicated that the search in open waters is being scaled back as efforts shift toward the southeast coast, where ocean currents may have carried survivors. The government also announced the launch of an investigation into the incident, citing suspicion of negligence by the ferry operator.
“This loss appears to be the result of strong winds and marine warnings not being heeded,” the statement read, adding that overloading of the vessel may have been a contributing factor.
Reports on the initial rescue efforts have been inconsistent. Vanuatu parliamentary representative Matai Seremaiah told New Zealand public broadcaster RNZ that a crew member swam ashore and alerted locals to the capsizing. Meanwhile, AFP reported that a hotel owner on Santo Island, Ashley Beveridge, claimed an employee rescued a survivor in a life vest on Saturday afternoon.
Beveridge described the survivor as being in poor condition, noting that rescue operations did not begin until the man washed up on an inhabited beach. He stated that locals were frustrated by the lack of urgency from authorities and had mobilized private cargo ships and aircraft to assist in the search on their own.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) in Noumea, New Caledonia, has since assisted in the operation, deploying a French Armed Forces aircraft on Sunday morning. According to the MRCC, 12 people have been located as of Sunday morning. Local media reports indicate that survivors are receiving treatment at the Northern Provincial hospital on Santo Island.
Vanuatu, a South Pacific archipelago with a population of nearly 350,000, is located approximately 1,750 kilometers east of Australia. The sinking has drawn attention to maritime safety concerns in the region.
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