Ferry disaster

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One thing that has been going on here in Kiribati since I arrived is the unfolding tragedy of the recent ferry disaster. A ferry with 85 people on board travelling between Nonousti (pronounced Na-noose) and South Tarawa left port on January 18th for the two day journey to Betio (on South Tarawa) but did not make it. Unfortunately, it was several days before the ferry was reported missing and New Zealand (and later Australia, the US and Taiwan)  sent out planes to search for the ferry and, once a lifeboat was located, other survivors.

 I must admit I am not one hundred percent up on the exact details but his terrible accident which has been slowly unfolding here. I first learned of the missing ferry while waiting for my plane at Auckland airport and have been relying on news sources in New Zealand and the UK to keep up to latest developments.  



 Last week a week of prayer was declared in Kiribati and there was, and continues to be, hope amongst the people that I have spoken to, that further survivors will be found. On Tuesday night they played on national radio here an interview with the survivors. As it was in e-Kiribati I have only heard second hand what they reported as having occurred after the ferry sank, but to say it was a harrowing ordeal for the survivors is truly an understatement. It appears that the ferry in question was not sea worthy, shouldn't have left port, and that those on board tried to warn the captain that the hull was cracking and that they should turn back but they were ignored with terrible, terrible consequences.See here for details. 

Unfortunately, a number of those missing and presumed drowned, were school children heading to South Tarawa for the new school year. A terrible incident like this will, and does, reverberate throughout a small close knit country like Kiribati and no doubt many, many families are directly affected by it.

The cabinet has declared three days of mourning and today has been declared a public holiday to remember those that have perished in this terrible tragedy. May they rest in peace.

Craig



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