A ferry, the MV Matui, sinks off the coast of Vanuatu, leaving one person dead and more than 30 others missing, according to the country’s government and Prime Minister’s office. The vessel does not arrive after setting out from the island of Santo to Ambae in rough conditions.
The reports say the ferry departed on September 11 carrying more than 40 passengers and crew and was traveling through very rough seas. Several outlets attribute the incident to strong winds and cite marine warnings. Different accounts focus on the response: the Prime Minister’s office and international outlets describe ongoing search and rescue, including changes to search areas and methods as authorities consider how currents may have moved survivors.
While all sources agree on the death toll and missing numbers, they differ slightly in how they describe shifts in the search. One outlet reports that searching in open waters is eased while efforts move toward the south-east coast. Another notes that operations are scaled back in open waters, with rescuers continuing along potential drift routes.
