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Vanuatu Ferry Sinking Leaves 1 Dead, Over 30 Missing
(MENAFN) At least one person has died and more than 30 remain unaccounted for after an inter-island ferry went down off Vanuatu in the South Pacific, the prime minister's office announced Sunday.
Of the more than 40 crew and passengers who were aboard, 15 have been confirmed alive, according to a statement posted to Facebook.
Citing Luganville MP Matai Seremiah, the statement said search efforts in open water are being wound down as crews redirect their focus to the southeast coast, where ocean currents may have swept survivors.
The prime minister's office said: "The loss appears to be the result of strong winds and marine warnings not being heeded, and possibly of negligence including overloading of the vessel."
Officials called on vessel owners to make safety a top priority — ensuring ships remain seaworthy, properly equipped, and fitted with dependable communication systems.
"Ignoring strong marine warnings puts lives at risk," the statement continued, noting that a comprehensive investigation would be launched to determine what happened and prevent similar disasters going forward.
The ferry, identified as the MV Matui, was en route from Santo to Ambae on Saturday with 47 people on board, including crew, according to the Vanuatu Broadcasting & Television Corporation.
Of the more than 40 crew and passengers who were aboard, 15 have been confirmed alive, according to a statement posted to Facebook.
Citing Luganville MP Matai Seremiah, the statement said search efforts in open water are being wound down as crews redirect their focus to the southeast coast, where ocean currents may have swept survivors.
The prime minister's office said: "The loss appears to be the result of strong winds and marine warnings not being heeded, and possibly of negligence including overloading of the vessel."
Officials called on vessel owners to make safety a top priority — ensuring ships remain seaworthy, properly equipped, and fitted with dependable communication systems.
"Ignoring strong marine warnings puts lives at risk," the statement continued, noting that a comprehensive investigation would be launched to determine what happened and prevent similar disasters going forward.
The ferry, identified as the MV Matui, was en route from Santo to Ambae on Saturday with 47 people on board, including crew, according to the Vanuatu Broadcasting & Television Corporation.
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