Fatal Ferry Disaster Off Vanuatu Leaves Dozens Missing After MV Matui Sinks

At least one person has been confirmed dead, and over 30 remain missing following the sinking of a ferry off Vanuatu’s coast, a statement from Prime Minister Jotham Napat’s office stated.

Search and rescue operations continued in the Pacific island nation, located approximately 1,750 km east of Australia, after the MV Matui sank with dozens of crew and passengers on board, according to a statement posted on Facebook.

Fifteen individuals from the group have been accounted for and are alive, the statement added.

Search efforts commenced on Friday after the inter-island ferry sank in adverse weather conditions between the islands of Ambae and Santo, as reported by New Zealand public broadcaster RNZ.

Napat’s office noted that the search is being scaled back in open waters while efforts shift toward the south-east coast, where currents may have carried survivors.

The statement attributed the loss to strong winds and ignored marine warnings, and possibly to negligence, including the overloading of the vessel.

The office expressed condolences, stating, ‘To the survivors, we pray for your strength and recovery. To the families of those missing and those we have lost, please know that the nation stands with you in this time of grief.’

Vanuatu police, the Vanuatu Maritime Safety Authority, and the ferry’s operator, Tui Shipping Agency, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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