VANUATU — The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in New Caledonia is assisting with the search. A French Armed Forces aircraft was deployed on Sunday morning to assist in the search. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre said 12 people were located on Sunday morning.

Search efforts in open waters are being eased off while efforts move toward a search along the south-east coast, where currents may have carried survivors. Matai Seremaiah, the member of parliament for Luganville, said search efforts would concentrate on the south-east coast where currents may have carried survivors.

Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat's office issued a statement addressing those affected by the disaster. "To the survivors, we pray for your strength and recovery. To the families of those missing and those we have lost, please know that the nation stands with you in this time of grief."

Why It Matters

The incident shows ongoing concerns regarding maritime safety and regulatory compliance in the region. The potential for negligence, including overloading of the vessel, has prompted an official investigation by the Vanuatu government. The scale of the disappearance, with more than 30 people unaccounted for, reflects the severity of the event and the challenges involved in search and rescue operations in difficult weather conditions.

Vanuatu is located about 1,750 km east of Australia, placing its archipelagic waters in a remote area where emergency response can be complex. The involvement of international assets, such as the French Armed Forces aircraft and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in New Caledonia, demonstrates the regional cooperation required for such operations. The outcome of the investigation into whether marine warnings were heeded will likely influence future safety protocols for inter-island transport.

Timeline

On September 11, 2026, the MV Matui had set sail with more than 40 passengers and crew. Later that day, the MV Matui sank on Friday, September 11, 2026, while sailing between the islands of Ambae and Santo in bad weather. On September 13, 2026, Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat's office said, "To the survivors, we pray for your strength and recovery. To the families of those missing and those we have lost, please know that the nation stands with you in this time of grief." Also on September 13, 2026, Matai Seremaiah, the member of parliament for Luganville, said search efforts would concentrate on the south-east coast where currents may have carried survivors.

What's New

The official record states that the Vanuatu government has said an investigation will be launched into the potential negligence, including overloading of the vessel, following the sinking of the MV Matui. The Maritime Rescue Centre said 12 people were located on Sunday morning.

The official record states that the sinking appears to be the result of strong winds and marine warnings not being heeded, and possibly of negligence including overloading of the vessel, according to the Prime Minister Jotham Napat's office. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in New Caledonia is assisting with the search.