One person is confirmed dead while four others have been reported missing after a passenger boat capsized off Papua New Guinea on Saturday, September 19.
The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) said the incident occurred near Pidgeon Island in East New Britain Province while the unnamed vessel was en route to the Duke of York Islands after having earlier departed the Kokopo Beach Front Boat Stop on Saturday afternoon (local time).
A police official said the boat was overcome by large waves, which then caused it to capsize.
A search and rescue (SAR) operation was not launched until the morning of Sunday, September 20, when the RPNGC deployed two patrol vessels to the area to look for survivors.
Nine of the boat's occupants were later rescued while one other individual was pronounced deceased shortly after being pulled from the sea.
The SAR operation was suspended at 14:30 on Sunday due to worsening sea conditions.
Local media said that the ill-fated boat was overloaded as it had an approved maximum capacity of only eight passengers.
Authorities have also begun an investigation following reports that the boat had sailed out on Saturday despite weather warnings that were issued prior to its departure.
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