22 school children in New Zealand are said to have drowned in the Pacific Ocean when the Kiribati ferry transporting them sunk, officials say. Reports had it the 22 children involved in the ghastly accident were from the Island of a population of over 2,000 people. The victims were 10 primary school students, along with 12 high school students.
According to Radio New Zealand, the incident occurred as the victims were about beginning a new school term in Tarawa the capital of the Republic of Kiribati located in the Central Pacific Ocean.
The President, Taneti Maamau, in a speech stated the number of passengers aboard the ferry, a 17 metre catamaran known as MV Butiraoi was about a 100 people. Later officials placed the figure was a total of 88 people: 45 males and 43 who were female passengers.
“The government is with you the people of Nonouti, including those who have been greatly affected by this incomparable incident.” It will not run away from {responsibility} but to humbly accept and will try {its} very best to search for the remaining passengers,”
A 14 year old girl survived the accident along with seven other survivors and was rescued on Sunday by the New Zealand Air Force. Meanwhile media outlets in the locality said the ferry in question had a history of recent mechanical challenges and had just been repaired before the accident occurred. Reports further added that the ferry lacked any rescue equipment and locator beacon. To make matters worse, the ferry had been ordered by maritime authorities not to ferry any passengers.
This has led the residents in Tarawa and Nonouti to call out the government over what they felt was a slow response on the government’s part to communicate with Fiji and New Zealand to help with investigating the matter. Efforts have been made by the United States and Australia who lent a helping hand to the search.
Anote Tong the former president said the accident was the biggest catastrophe due to the numbers and the unfortunate victims while the disaster could bring forth criminal charges if discovered to have been caused by negligent actions taken by operators of the ferry.
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