More than 230 plucked from Pacific after ferry sinks

Scores were still missing last night, as the search was suspended as a result of bad weather, though officials said they still hoped to find more survivors.

An official at the scene said the ferry had capsized in rough seas and sank four hours later.

The ferry went down 50 miles east of Lae, the South Pacific country’s second-largest city, and ten miles from the shore. Papua New Guinea’s prime minister, Peter O’Neill, said the cause of the accident was unknown but he added that no stone would be left unturned.

However, he acknowledged that safety in the shipping industry was lax.

“We cannot afford to continue to lose our people’s lives”, he said.

“Sea transport is one of the most important forms of tranportation in the country. We need to bring some safety measures back into this industry.”

He said more than 300 people had been aboard the ship, although the precise number had not been confirmed.

In the hours after the sinking, Australian prime minister Julia Gillard called it a “major tragedy”, adding: “Given the likely very high loss of life here, I think when this news comes to the attention of Australians around the country, they will be thinking about the people of PNG as they respond to this tragedy.”

Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) spokeswoman Carly Lusk said the crew of the first rescue plane sent to the scene threw several life rafts to survivors in the water. She added that 238 survivors had been recovered by late yesterday.

Earlier in the day, an airplane from Australia, three helicopters and eight ships had scoured the area after the MV Rabaul Queen went down en route from Kimbe, on the island of New Britain, to the coastal city of Lae on the main island, the AMSA said.

There has been some dispute as to the number of people still missing after the incident.

Ms Lusk said 350 people were believed to have been on board the ferry, but Papua New Guinea’s National Maritime Safety Authority said the figure was probably lower. “I cannot confirm or deny the 350 missing number. It is hearsay,” said Captain Nurur Rahman, the authority’s rescue co-ordinator.

Mr Rahman told reporters the search would probably be suspended until dawn today due to bad weather.

He said there had been no reports of bodies being found and that he remained hopeful of finding more survivors in the tropical waters.

“I’m always hopeful,” he said. “People have survived up to two days in these waters.”

Most of the survivors were uninjured, although one was said to have a dislocated shoulder, he said.

Ship operator Star Ships could not immediately be contacted for comment.