More than 110 people are still missing after a 22-year-old Japanese-built ferry carrying some 360 people on board sank off Papua New Guinea's north-eastern coast in rough weather early on Thursday, officials said on Friday.
Even after 24 hours after the mishap, search and rescue operations for any possible survivors are continuing. But hopes of finding further survivors in the choppy seas are fading fast, with some officials expressing fears that many of the missing could have been trapped inside the sunken vessel.
The ferry's owners, PNG-based Rabaul Shipping Company, has confirmed that 350 passengers and 12 crew-members were on board the ill-fated 'MV Rabaul Queen' when it went down approximately 9.9 miles off Finschhafen, some 50 miles from its final destination of Lae.
"We are stunned and utterly devastated by what has happened," Rabaul Managing Director Peter Sharp said in a statement. "We acknowledge that this has caused tremendous suffering. Our condolences go to the loved ones of those affected."
Pledging to find out the cause of the accident and cooperate fully with the ongoing search and rescue efforts, Sharp added: "While we are trying to comprehend the terrible nature of the accident, we are also staying focused on helping authorities as the search and rescue operation unfolds."
So far, 248 people have been pulled out from the ocean in a joint Australian-PNG operation. Australia has been providing active assistance in search and rescue operations after PNG requested assistance from Canberra soon after the accident.
Survivors said the ferry sank after it was struck by huge waves. Most of them were rescued from the sea by six merchant vessels directed to the spot by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
Rabaul Queen went missing earlier on Thursday while sailing between the island of New Britain and the north-cost town of Lae. Ferry operator Star Ships said it had alerted Australian authorities shortly after losing contact with the vessel.
PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has promised a full investigation into the tragedy, saying: "We will leave no stone unturned. We cannot afford to continue to lose our people's lives. Sea transport is one of the most important forms of transportation in the country."
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