At least 30 missing after inter-island ferry sinks off Vanuatu coast

Emergency response teams in Vanuatu are currently engaged in a desperate search and rescue operation following the sinking of an inter-island ferry in treacherous conditions. While seven individuals have been successfully pulled from the swells, authorities have confirmed that 38 passengers remain unaccounted for after the vessel foundered in critical weather off the archipelago’s coast.

The maritime disaster occurred as the ferry navigated volatile sea states, with gale-force winds and heavy rain hampering initial recovery efforts. Local coordination centres, supported by regional partners, are prioritising the search area despite the persistent low visibility and significant swell height that continue to challenge the safety of responding craft.

“This unfolding tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the immense challenges facing maritime safety in the Pacific, where the vastness of the ocean meets the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.”

Australian officials are reportedly monitoring the situation closely, standing ready to provide technical or aerial support to our Pacific neighbours if formal requests are lodged. For now, the focus remains on the critical 24-hour window for locating survivors in what is proving to be one of the region’s most taxing maritime emergencies in recent years.