Rescuers have managed to save more than 240 people from the waters near the site where the Rabaul Queen sank yesterday. The tragedy happened about eight miles off the coast of Papua New Guinea’s east coast. There are still more than 100 people still missing and while the search continues, the outlook is grim.
The Rabaul Queen was carrying more than 350 people when it capsized and then sank four hours later. Helicopters, aircraft, and boats were used to rescue people who were holding onto debris at the disaster site. Some of the helicopters dropped life rafts into the water, which aided in the survival of dozens of passengers.
The survivors have been taken to Lae, which is the second largest city in Papua New Guinea. According to Chris Rupen, who is the general manager of the National Maritime Safety Authority in Papua New Guinea, the search has only just resumed for survivors because it had to be called off due to extremely rough seas and strong winds.
There were reports from survivors on Friday that said the seas were exceptionally rough when the eight hour long trip from Kimbe to Lae began. There were really large waves and strong winds. The boat, according to passenger accounts, tilted three times before it finally tipped all the way over. There were reports of oil being everywhere in the water, as well. Some of the survivors ingested some of that oil, as well as other hazardous materials, when they tried to escape from the capsized ferry.
Rupen says that the search will continue until there is simply no more hope of finding survivors. Communications between rescuers and those on land were hampered last night when all of the land and mobile phones lines were out between 3 pm and 1 am local time today.
