From the Guardian · Guardian staff and agencies · · 1m 30s
Ferry sinks off Vanuatu with 40 aboard
The MV Matui sailed into rough seas between two islands and never arrived, leaving one dead and more than 30 lost.
In brief
The MV Matui sailed into rough seas between two islands and never arrived, leaving one dead and more than 30 lost. Marine warnings were issued before the MV Matui sailed, and the government now suspects the voyage went ahead anyway with an overloaded boat. Originally reported by the Guardian.
A ferry that never arrived
The MV Matui left Santo island for Ambae on Friday with more than 40 passengers and crew aboard. It sank in very rough seas somewhere along the way.
One dead, over 30 missing
Fifteen people have been accounted for alive and one body has been recovered. The rest of those on board are still unaccounted for at sea.
“Over 30 people remain missing at sea”
The nation stands with you
Prime minister Jotham Napat's office issued a statement on Sunday addressed to survivors and to families still waiting for news.
“To the families of those missing and those we have lost, please know that the nation stands with you in this time of grief.”
Warnings that went unheeded
An investigation into potential negligence is under way. The government says strong winds and marine warnings appear to have been ignored, and the vessel may have been overloaded.
“This loss appears to be the result of strong winds and marine warnings not being heeded”
France joins the search
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in New Caledonia is assisting, and a French Armed Forces aircraft was deployed on Sunday morning. Twelve people were located that morning.
Following the currents
Matai Seremaiah, the MP for Luganville, said crews would focus on the south-east coast, where currents may have carried survivors away from the wreck.
The one thing
Marine warnings were issued before the MV Matui sailed, and the government now suspects the voyage went ahead anyway with an overloaded boat.
