One dead, more than 30 missing after Vanuatu ferry sinks, PM’s office says

What the report says

At least one person has died and more than 30 others are missing after the MV Matui ferry sank off Vanuatu, according to Prime Minister Jotham Napat’s office. The inter-island vessel went down on Friday in bad weather while traveling between Ambae and Santo in the country’s north, with search and rescue teams continuing to look for survivors.

The prime minister’s office said 15 people had been accounted for alive. It also said efforts in open water were being reduced as teams shifted toward the south-east coast, where currents may have carried survivors. The statement was posted on Facebook and cited by Al Jazeera, which reported the update alongside Reuters.

The government said the sinking appeared to be linked to strong winds and marine warnings not being followed, and possibly to negligence, including overloading. It said a full investigation would be carried out to determine the facts and help prevent a repeat. That assessment has not yet been independently confirmed, and Vanuatu police, the Maritime Safety Authority and the ferry operator did not immediately respond to requests for comment, according to Reuters.

The incident is a reminder of the risks faced by inter-island travel in Pacific island nations, where rough weather and long sea routes can complicate emergency response. More details are likely to emerge as the search continues and authorities examine what caused the disaster.