The search for missing passengers after a passenger ship sank off the coast of Vanuatu has concluded. Local authorities announced that 39 people are missing in this incident.
Details of the Shipwreck Incident
The passenger ship MV Matui sank on September 11 while traveling between the islands of Santo and Ambae due to adverse weather conditions. According to the information provided, 53 people were on board at the time of the sinking. Vanuatu's Deputy Maritime Commissioner, Lloyd M. Fikiasi, confirmed that the search for missing individuals ended last Saturday because no new individuals had been pulled from the water.
Read more: The U.S. issued travel visas for Iranian officials to attend the United Nations General Assembly
During this time, 14 people were rescued and two bodies were recovered from the water. Some individuals who were previously registered as missing were not actually on that ship, adding to the ambiguity of the missing count. According to Fikiasi, the exact number of passengers on the ship was also unclear in the early days following the sinking.
Legal Action and Investigation into the Shipwreck
Authorities this week filed legal complaints against the owners of Tui Shipping, the management of the company, and the ship's captain for violating maritime laws. Reports indicate that the ship did not have a permit to carry passengers, and inspectors had warned the company the day before the sinking about overloading individuals and cargo.
Prime Minister, Jotham Napat, stated on Sunday that this incident occurred due to severe storms and the disregard of maritime warnings, and it may also be a result of negligence. On the day the ship set sail, the country's meteorological services had issued warnings about strong winds and stormy seas.
Napat met with survivors and grieving families on the islands of Santo and Ambae on Friday and urged them to remain calm. He also promised that an independent investigation into the incident would be conducted. He had previously announced that he canceled his planned trip to the United Nations General Assembly in New York due to this tragedy.
Napat also announced that a national memorial service would be held on September 27.
Read more: The White House withdraws controversial nominee for ICE leadership · Ship fire in the Philippines: 35 dead and concerning missing statistics
Source: abcnews.com
