Vanuatu: a ferry sinks, one dead and over 30 missing

Sunday 13 September 2026 - 08:26

A ferry connecting two islands in Vanuatu has sunk under difficult weather conditions. One person has died and more than thirty others are still missing. Local authorities are receiving support from the French military, whose resources have been mobilized from New Caledonia.

A maritime tragedy is shaking Vanuatu. The MV Matui, which was providing a link between the islands of Espiritu Santo and Ambae, sank while carrying over 40 passengers and crew members on board.

Initial reports released on Sunday by the government of this South Pacific archipelago indicate a preliminary toll of at least one dead and over 30 missing. However, fifteen people have been rescued after the sinking.

Searches conducted under difficult conditions

The accident occurred while sea conditions were particularly unfavorable. The presence of strong winds and rough seas complicates search and rescue operations.

Vanuatu authorities are coordinating rescue efforts with the support of France. French forces engaged in the region are participating in operations from New Caledonia, a neighboring territory of Vanuatu in the Pacific.

One body has already been recovered by the mobilized teams. Searches continue in an attempt to locate those still missing.

An still provisional toll

With over thirty people whose fate remains unknown, authorities are engaged in a race against time. The exact number of passengers and crew members on board at the time of the sinking still needs to be clarified.

Vanuatu, composed of dozens of islands scattered across the South Pacific, heavily relies on maritime links to ensure movement between its different communities. In this archipelago exposed to sometimes violent weather phenomena, navigation conditions can quickly become dangerous.

For now, rescue operations remain the priority, while authorities seek to establish the exact circumstances of the sinking of the MV Matui.