One person has died and more than 30 remain missing after the ferry MV Matui sank off the coast of Vanuatu in very rough seas, according to the country's government. Search and rescue efforts are continuing.
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Key facts
- One person has died and more than 30 people are missing after the sinking.
- The ferry MV Matui set sail with more than 40 passengers and crew.
- The vessel departed the island of Santo bound for Ambae island on Friday.
- It sailed in very rough seas and did not arrive at its destination.
- Vanuatu's prime minister's office told families 'the nation stands with you' as searches continue.
One person has died and more than 30 others are missing after a ferry sank off the coast of Vanuatu, the country’s government says.
The vessel, MV Matui, had set sail with more than 40 passengers and crew on Friday from the island of Santo to Ambae island, according to the Guardian. It was travelling in very rough seas and did not arrive at its destination.
The government confirmed that at least one person had died in the incident, while more than 30 people remained unaccounted for as search and rescue operations continued.
Vanuatu’s prime minister’s office sought to reassure the families of those still missing, telling them that ‘the nation stands with you’ as efforts to locate the missing passengers and crew went on.
The rough sea conditions that accompanied the vessel’s journey formed part of the circumstances surrounding the sinking, according to the Guardian’s reporting. Further details on the cause of the disaster and the status of the ongoing search had not been provided.
Why it matters
Ferries are a vital link between the islands of Vanuatu, and the loss of a vessel carrying more than 40 people is a significant tragedy for the Pacific nation. The outcome of the search and rescue effort will be closely watched by affected families and communities.
Frequently asked questions
What ferry sank off Vanuatu?
The vessel that sank was the MV Matui, which was travelling from the island of Santo to Ambae island with more than 40 passengers and crew, according to the Guardian.
How many people are missing?
More than 30 people are missing and one person has died, according to Vanuatu's government.
What caused the ferry to sink?
The ferry sank in very rough seas while making the journey from Santo to Ambae on Friday. The sources do not provide a confirmed cause beyond the rough sea conditions.
Timeline
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The Guardian World: Prime minister’s office tells families of those missing ‘the nation stands with you’ as search and rescue efforts continue One person has died and more than 30 are missing after a ferry sank off the coast of Vanuatu, the country’s government says. The vessel, MV Matui, had set sa