Vanuatu Ferry Sinking Leaves One Dead, Dozens Missing

Two ferry disasters in the Pacific have prompted urgent search-and-rescue operations. In Indonesia, the Virgo Transport 8 lost contact in the Java Sea after its captain reported that the vessel was tilting; one person died, 103 were evacuated and about 140 remained unaccounted for among the 243 people aboard. Rough seas of up to 2.5 metres hampered the Indonesian operation. In Vanuatu, the MV Matui sank during a voyage between Ambae and Santo in severe weather, leaving one person dead, 15 survivors accounted for and more than 30 missing, although early reports gave differing rescue and missing-person figures. Officials are investigating possible strong winds, ignored marine warnings and overloading, while a local lawmaker criticized a search delay of more than 30 hours; authorities and volunteer rescuers continued searching nearby waters and the southeast coast.