At least 27 passengers on ferry MV Taimareho in the Solomon Islands are missing after they went overboard during a cyclone. This was reported by the local police on Sunday 5 April.

Presumably, the missing passengers were washed from the deck by waves, police said. A search has been launched, but are hampered by the bad weather.

The ferry operated by WAC Shipping Community Company Limited departed Thursday evening (local time) with 738 people on board from the capital Honiara, while cyclone Harold crossed the country. The authorities had warned all shipping companies not to sail because of the storm.

Corona evacuation programme

The ship’s planned voyage was part of a government evacuation programme in the context of the coronapandemic. The more than 700 passengers were to be taken back to their home villages.

The Solomon Islands are one of the few countries where no cases of coronavirus infection are known.

Source: ANP

Picture: The Taimareho (by WAC Shipping Community Company Limited)