Police cause an inquiry in to seven people missing at sea between Isabel and Central Province

Police in Isabel Province were carrying out an enquiry into the seven people missing at sea who are travelling from Sepi in Isabel Province to Buenavesta in Central Province by an Out Board Motor (OBM) on 10 July 2021.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Isabel Province Superintendent Leonard Tahimana says, “There are seven people on board the canoe. Six male and a female. All of them were adults. They travelled to Nagotano village in Central Province for a convention.”

PPC says, “The group using a ray boat named as “KAPIKA”, powered by a 40 horse power Yamaha OBM engine. Before the boat travelled to Central Province, The boat pick up Chiefs and some elders at Nagolau village and other nearby villages.”

Superintendent Tahimana says, “It was revealed that a total of twenty (20) OBM canoes were being used for the transportations of Chiefs, elders and other important dignitaries to the Nagotano. The arrangement is for them all to assemble together at Sepi before travel to Buenavesta.”

There were 20 boats altogether and only 19 went ashore while one with the seven people did not make it to Nagotano in Buenavesta.

Police are continuing with their enquiries and a joint search party between police maritime and Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) still active.