Asia-Pacific News
Search for new survivors from capsized ferry comes up empty
Feb 4, 2012, 14:32 GMT
Sydney - Search ships failed to find more survivors from the capsized Papua New Guinea coastal ferry Saturday, fueling fears that as many as 100 people may have died.
Eight merchant ships were aided by search helicopters, but the tally of survivors remained at 246 after no more were found.
'We haven't given up hope,' PNG maritime safety authority chief Captain Nurur Rahman told Australian national broadcaster ABC. 'I'm very positive myself because the water temperature is still high and there are still chances of survival for people for another day or so.'
The MV Rabaul Queen went down Thursday in rough seas 16 kilometres off the eastern coast of the South Pacific nation.
The offices of owner Rabaul Shipping in Kimbe and Lae were closed for fear of retribution from relatives of victims.
The Post Courier newspaper said the PNG National Weather Service in Port Moresby had warned of strong winds and rough seas, and urged all vessels to stay in port.
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