THE search continues in Papua New Guinea’s East New Britain province for 24 people missing at sea after two boats capsized while returning from a picnic at the weekend.
Three bodies have been found in the past two days after a massive sea and aerial search which has been hampered by strong winds and rough seas.
Hopes of finding survivors have faded rapidly after two bodies were washed ashore and a third was found at sea.
A group set off in two boats on Saturday from the Duke of York group of islands to Kokopo, the capital of East New Britain province.
Provincial officials said the vessels capsized that afternoon during rough seas and bad weather, and a search was immediately initiated, using both air and sea capabilities.
One of the boats was located off the west coast of neighbouring New Ireland province, far off the intended journey’s course.
Two survivors, believed to be the captains of the stricken vessels, made it ashore on the mainland at Baii Village, Kombiu, on Saturday night.
This is believed to be the greatest loss of life at sea since the sinking of the MV Rabaul Queen in February 2012 when an estimated 165 people died.
