Search ongoing in Bugotu district, Isabel province, following capsized boat. Two survivors and one body recovered so far
BY DOUGLAS VAHIA
Search is ongoing around Bugotu district in Isabel province for a female person following the capsizing of a boat carrying passengers on Wednesday early morning.
Police on Isabel confirmed that of the four people on board, two people have been rescued alive while the body of the third person, a female, has been recovered.
Meanwhile, search is still ongoing for the fourth person who is a female, police said.
Reports said the boat was travelling on Tuesday night from Sigana in Bugotu district to Kilokaka in Hograno district.
Reports said the boat capsized off the coast of Tanakau Point early Wednesday morning. The round-cabin boat had a 15hp outboard motor engine.
The boat driver and another female passenger (boat driver’s wife) are safe. The body was retrieved that Wednesday morning.
Speaking to Island Sun last night, Isabel provincial police commander Inspector Harry Vanosi said police attended to the incident on Wednesday morning and helped with search and rescue operation.
“One officer is currently assisting community members with searching the surrounding seas and coastlines. The weather in the area is very bad with rough seas.
“Search is still ongoing for the fourth person, a female,” Vanosi said.
Vanosi said updates will be made known later today. Island Sun will follow up.
The deceased is Elina Lakamanga, a Mathematics lecturer at the University of Papua New Guinea. Her daughter, Yvette Lakamanga, is the missing person. Yvette is a final-year student at the University of Technology in PNG.
The mother and daughter had travelled from PNG for holidays and family visit at their home village of Kilokaka village. They had dropped off from the ship, MV Uta Princess, at Sigana, and were reportedly picked up by late Elina’s brother and his wife, and were on their way home when the tragedy struck.
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