Police at Kirakira in the Makira-Ulawa Province have been approached to assist in the search for two male persons, in their 20s, missing at sea between Tawaroga village and Mami village in the East Makira since 3 February 2018.
It is alleged that on 2 February 2018, four male youth in their 20s, left Mami Village in ward 14, in two dug-out canoes and travelled to Tawaroga Village also in ward 14, to collect betel nuts. The boys arrived and spent the night at Tawaroga Village.
It is further alleged that on the next day, 3 February 2018, the boys left Tawaroga Village to return to Mami Village. However, the four boys in the two canoes got separated after encountering bad weather. Two of the boys managed to go ashore safely at Gupuna village on Santa Ana in the evening of the same day while the other two are still missing.
Makira-Ulawa Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Peter Sitai says, “I am informed local transport owners in the area have been involved in the search but have been unsuccessful. Police using its resources have joined the search."
"Up to this time of reporting there is still no sign of the two missing boys and the current bad weather is affecting the search," says PPC Sitai.
Superintendent Sitai says, “I appeal to coastal communities in East Makira and surrounding islands to report any sighting of the missing persons to police, as my officers are trying to assist with the search.”
He adds, “Let me remind the people in Makira-Ulawa Province, to always check on the weather before going out to sea. Check the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service on phone 24218/27658/20332 or listen to SIBC for the latest weather update. Always inform someone of where you are going and your expected time of travel; take extra fuel, paddles, life-jackets, torch-light, spare batteries, water and some food when travelling and do not overload your boat or canoe.
Police can be contacted at phone number 50299/50132 (Kirakira Police) or free toll line 999 (Honiara Police Communication Centre).