Search and rescue operations underway after ferry sinks off Vanuatu
Ferry with 40+ aboard sank off Vanuatu; one dead, 30+ missing; rescue underway amid severe weather.
Event / Disaster
MV Matui Ferry Sinking Vanuatu
Ferry MV Matui sank off Vanuatu on September 13 during rough seas with 40+ people aboard. At least 1 confirmed dead, 15 rescued, 30+ missing. Preliminary investigation attributes sinking to strong winds, ignored maritime warnings, and possible vessel overloading. French military aircraft deployed for search operations.
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2026-09-13 to 2026-11-06 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 13 Sept, 13:59 UTC
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What happened
French military aircraft deployed for search and rescue operations
A French military Falcon 200 aircraft based in New Caledonia was deployed on September 13 to conduct search and rescue operations in coordination with Vanuatu naval vessels in the ferry disaster zone.
At least one confirmed dead, more than 30 missing in Vanuatu ferry sinking
At least one body was recovered from the MV Matui ferry disaster, while more than 30 people remain missing. Fifteen people were rescued from the incident.
Ferry sinking attributed to strong winds, ignored warnings, and possible overloading
Vanuatu's government indicated the ferry sinking appeared to result from violent winds, failure to heed maritime warnings, and possible negligence including vessel overloading. An investigation was opened into the incident.
Ferry MV Matui sinks off Vanuatu with 40+ people aboard
The ferry MV Matui sank on September 13 while traveling between the islands of Espiritu Santo and Ambae in Vanuatu with more than 40 passengers and crew members aboard during rough sea conditions.
Search operations delayed until survivor washed ashore
No rescue operations were launched after the ferry sank on the morning of September 12. Search efforts only began after a hotel diver in Espiritu Santo found a survivor in a life jacket drifting at sea on September 13 and brought him to shore. The survivor reported the vessel had sunk the previous morning.
Severe weather conditions hamper rescue efforts
Search operations in the ferry disaster zone were conducted amid degraded meteorological conditions with southeastern winds at 20 knots (37 km/h) and rough to heavy seas.
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