One dead and over 30 missing after ferry sinks off Vanuatu amid rough seas

A search and rescue operation is underway in Vanuatu after the inter-island ferry MV Matui sank during severe weather on Friday. The vessel was traveling between the islands of Santo and Ambae when it encountered rough seas and failed to reach its destination. Government officials have confirmed that one person has died, and more than 30 individuals remain missing.

According to a statement from the office of Prime Minister Jotham Napat, 15 people have been accounted for alive. Search efforts, which initially focused on open waters, have transitioned toward the southeast coast of the islands, where officials believe currents may have carried potential survivors.

International assistance has been integrated into the recovery efforts, with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in New Caledonia providing support. A French Armed Forces aircraft was deployed on Sunday morning to aid in the search for those still missing.

The government has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the sinking. Preliminary assessments suggest that the vessel may have been overloaded and that marine warnings regarding strong winds were not heeded.

In a statement addressing the nation, the Prime Minister’s office expressed condolences to the families of those lost and offered support to the survivors. As of Sunday, the Vanuatu Maritime Safety Authority, local police, and the ferry’s operator, Tui Shipping Agency, had not provided public comment regarding the incident.