Child among three dead, five still missing in Milne Bay dinghy tragedy
Details surrounding the dinghy mishap in Milne Bay Province are slowly emerging
Reports received from Tarakwaruru Sub-Health Center in Makamaka Rural Local Level Government indicate that a seven-year-old was among the three people found dead, and not four as reported earlier.
A two-year-old is among the five people still missing at sea.
Leo Rere, a nursing officer at Tarakwaruru Sub-Health Center who is assisting in the search and rescue mission, said a seven-year-old girl was among the three female bodies recovered.
The bodies were all found on the beachfront at Wabubu Village, with the seven-year-old girl still lifelessly clinging to her mother.
Recounting the ordeal based on the skipper's account, Mr Rere said the two-year-old boy was swept off the dinghy by strong waves before it capsized. His body has not yet been recovered.
The skipper also confirmed that the total number of people onboard was thirteen [13], and not ten as reported earlier.
Apart from the skipper, who swam ashore to seek help, the other three survivors clung to the capsized dinghy until assistance arrived between 8 and 9pm.
Meanwhile, Milne Bay Provincial Disaster Coordinator Randall Ganisi said two dinghies from Tarakwaruru were deployed to assist in the search and rescue operation at the time of the tragedy.
A separate dinghy carrying two police officers was sent yesterday [Friday] with fuel supplies to support the search efforts.
Villages along the coast of Makamaka RLLG have been alerted to look out for any of the missing persons and report any sightings to the authorities.
