Mourning for Kiribati ferry tragedy missing presumed dead

• Print
• Email

Updated July 27, 2009 17:02:20

Kiribati Maritime Police say the 18 people listed as missing following the catamaran tragedy three weeks ago are now presumed dead. This brings the total number of dead to 33 out of a total of 55 passengers and crew of the 17-metre wooden vessel.

The double-hulled catamaran was on its way from the capital, Tarawa when it capsized five miles off its destination, Maiana island to the south. A national day of mourning, declared by the president, was observed throughout Kiribati last Friday. Commander of the Police Maritime Unit, John Mote, says police are investigating the incident and a Commission of Inquiry will also be set up.

Presenter: Sam Seke
Speaker: John Mote, Commander of the Kiribati Police Maritime Unit

• Listen:
• Windows Media

• Export orders roll in for Fiji bamboo clothes company
• Rudd wants real change in Fiji before easing sanctions
• Growing concern in Fiji over Public Order Decree
• UN monitoring promised new freedoms in Fiji
• Encouraging sign of new gold and copper find in PNG
• Transparency calls for naming of Vanuatu diplomats "on commission"
• PM says good PNG-Indonesian relations in national interest
• Queensland remembers last year's floods