Questions grow after Vanuatu ferry sinking as rescuers search for more than 30 missing

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Questions were mounting concerning a passenger ferry that allegedly sank off the coast of Vanuatu, as rescuers continued their search for over 30 individuals still unaccounted for. The incident, which occurred on Friday, has claimed at least two lives.

Initial reports indicated that the sinking went unnoticed for nearly a full day before it was finally reported. As of Tuesday, no additional bodies or survivors had been recovered from the sea or the surrounding coastline, according to local news outlet VBTC. Two bodies had been retrieved, and 14 survivors were found over the weekend, the broadcaster reported, citing police sources.

Vanuatu Police Assistant Commissioner David Bongranlie stated on Tuesday that the vessel was carrying a total of 53 passengers. The circumstances surrounding the sinking remained unclear by Tuesday. Vanuatu police revealed that they were only made aware of the ferry's absence 22 hours after it was believed to have sunk, according to a statement from Bongranlie.

Local news outlet Vanuatu’s Daily Post reported that the ferry was not authorized to carry more than 30 people and departed without the knowledge of Vanuatu’s Maritime Safety Authority, as per a spokesperson's statement. Additionally, the company that owned the vessel had been de-registered from Vanuatu’s business register in June.

Tui Shipping, the boat's owner, released a statement to VBTC expressing condolences to those affected and acknowledging their responsibility for passenger safety. However, the statement did not provide any details about the sinking. The office of Prime Minister Jotham Napat announced on Tuesday that he would cancel a scheduled trip to the United Nations General Assembly in New York to address the disaster.

"There are many valid questions being asked publicly that require answers and solutions," Napat said in the statement. "The Government acknowledges that this situation could have been prevented or minimized if all responsible authorities had been vigilant and fulfilled their duties."

On Sunday, Prime Minister Napat suggested that the sinking might have been due to "negligence, including overloading of the vessel," as well as marine warnings being disregarded. The country's meteorological service had issued an alert for strong winds and high seas on the day the ferry was sailing. Napat described the event as a "tragedy" and an "incident," but he has not used the term "sinking."

The ship is reported to have sunk, as per local news outlets citing police. On Sunday, the maritime search and rescue agency from neighboring New Caledonia announced on Facebook that they were coordinating an air and sea search for bodies and survivors, reporting 37 people still missing. Vanuatu, an archipelago of 83 islands in the South Pacific Ocean, is located approximately 1,750 kilometers (1,090 miles) east of northern Australia.