Baby swept away from mother, still missing, in latest sea tragedy

A child between three to four months is missing at sea after waves swept her away from her mother’s hands in the latest boat tragedy in the western Solomons on Wednesday.

In a statement tonight, the RSIPF Media says Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at Taro and Police Response Team (PRT) deployment team based in in the Choiseul capital are still searching for the missing baby at the sea around Pachuava coastline on North West Choiseul.

Supervising Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Choiseul Province, Inspector Elliot Ngili says the missing child was carried by her mother on board a boat powered by a 40 horse powered engine departing Taro station and heading back home on Wednesday when their boat sunk.

“On their way home the boat caught up with strong wind, dark clouds, rain, and high waves. As a result, the boat sank. Three passengers and the driver managed to swim ashore that evening. The mother was holding up her child trying her best to save her baby but was unfortunately washed away by strong waves at the end of a reef,” said Ngili

 Taro Police, relatives and the public around that area are still searching for the missing child.

“Taro Police is continuing with an inquiry into the incident. I call all boat owners and travelling passengers to plan a safe trip. If anyone has any information regarding the incident to assist police with the investigation,” says PPC Ngili.

“My condolence to the family who tragically lost their child in this incident,” he said.