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Ferry sinks off Papua New Guinea with 350 on board Ferry sinks off Papua New Guinea with 350 on board
(40 minutes later)
Rescue crews have saved 28 people from the water off Papua New Guinea's north-east coast after a ferry sank Thursday with as many as 350 people on board, officials said. Rescue crews have saved 50 people from the water off Papua New Guinea's north-east coast after a ferry sank Thursday with as many as 350 people on board, officials said.
The MV Rabaul Queen went down when traveling between the coastal towns of Lae and Kimbe after it sent a distress signal early on Thursday, PNG's National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) said. An aeroplane from Australia, three helicopters and six ships were scouring the search area after the MV Rabaul Queen went down while travelling from Kimbe on the island of New Britain to the coastal town of Lae on the main island, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said in a statement.
Rescue co-ordinator Captain Nurur Rahman said four merchant ships were diverted to the scene by Australian authorities to help with the rescue. "They have rescued 28 people who are now on board one vessel," Rahman said. Rescue co-ordinator Captain Nurur Rahman said four merchant ships were diverted to the scene by Australian authorities to help with the rescue. "I cannot confirm or deny the 350 missing number, it is hearsay. I have not seen the manifest as yet, but it is likely around 300."
"I cannot confirm or deny the 350 missing number, it is hearsay. I have not seen the manifest as yet, but it is likely around 300." The Australian maritime agency initially detected the ferry's distress beacon and alerted the PNG Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, which is in charge of the rescue effort. An Australian statement said "approximately 50 people have been rescued so far".
The Australian prime minister, Julia Gillard, said there were 350 people on board and that Australia was providing assistance to its near neighbour. "This is obviously a major tragedy," she said.The Australian prime minister, Julia Gillard, said there were 350 people on board and that Australia was providing assistance to its near neighbour. "This is obviously a major tragedy," she said.
"Given the likely very high loss of life here, I think when this news comes to the attention of Australians around the country they will be thinking about the people of PNG as they respond to this tragedy.""Given the likely very high loss of life here, I think when this news comes to the attention of Australians around the country they will be thinking about the people of PNG as they respond to this tragedy."
Rahman said he was being fed information from an NMSA agent on board one of the rescue ships. "The dynamics of this thing are changing all the time, minute by minute," he said.Rahman said he was being fed information from an NMSA agent on board one of the rescue ships. "The dynamics of this thing are changing all the time, minute by minute," he said.
Earlier, an unnamed NMSA official said two helicopters from Lae had also joined the operation. The NMSA rescue co-ordinator Fred Siroi said he would make a public statement later. Earlier, an unnamed NMSA official said two helicopters from Lae had joined the operation. The NMSA rescue co-ordinator Fred Siroi said he would make a public statement later.
Ship operator Star Ships could not be immediately contacted for comment.Ship operator Star Ships could not be immediately contacted for comment.