(Image Source: Herald Sun)
BY EMILY ALLEN
ANCHOR EMILY SPAIN
A ferry capsizes during rough weather off the coast of Papua New Guinea. The vessel was carrying mostly students and teachers on it’s way to the mainland of Lae. Here is KTRK.
“Officials say the ferry sent out a distress signal overnight, capsized in choppy waters then sank several hours later.”
Rescue crews have a problem. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation says the shipping agency will not confirm the number of passengers on board.
“That is frustrating the local police and the search and rescue effort that, as far as they can’t tell how many more people may be out there.”
But the Sydney Morning Herald thinks there is a reason the company is staying mum about the numbers.
“Local people said there had long been concern about overcrowding on the ferry, owned by the brother of PNG's National Maritime Safety Authority chairman.”
A TV New Zealand reporter says this accident doesn’t come as a surprise following two similar disasters in recent years.
“There first two, incompetence. And the ferry owners, the people who are running this got away with it because they could and it’s people’s lives here that are at risk.”
News of the wreck prompted the country’s Prime Minister to issue a call to action. Here is the Guardian.
“We need to bring some safety measures back into this industry. We cannot afford to continue to lose our people’s lives. And sea transport is one of the most important forms of transportation in the country.”
Herald Sun reports bad light and poor weather are hampering rescue efforts. It says this shipwreck has been described as the worst-ever shipping disaster in the country’s history.
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