(UPDATE) RSIPV assists in search for missing people on board MV Taimareho

The Royal Solomon Island Police Vessel (RSIPV) GIZO O5 has joined the search for people missing from the MV Taimareho in the early hours of 3 April 2020 while travelling from Honiara to West Are ‘are in Malaita Province.

The patrol boat Gizo arrived in the area for the search this morning and the search is continuing. 

The MV Taimareho is also taking part in the search for its missing passengers following a directive from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Honiara. 

Commander of the Police Operation Centre (POC) at the Rove Police Headquarters in Honiara, Chief Superintendent Richard Menapi says, “Initial reports received say during the search upon arrival at the search area there were a lot of debris sighted floating on the surface of the water but still no sighting of any missing people.”

Chief Superintendent Menapi adds “A stabi-craft of the RSIPF Maritime Department is also searching along the coastal areas of North East Guadalcanal and back as far as Honiara.

“RSIPF Officers at Auki, in Malaita Province who are at Su’u Harbour where the boat took shelter after the tragic incident  confirmed that there were 738 passengers including crew and the captain on board but after the headcount it was confirmed that 27 people were missing with total survivors of 711 including the crew. Out of 27 missing people 19 of them were male adults, seven female and a 13-year-old person.”

The RSIPF National Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) in Honiara has started it’s investigation into this sea tragedy.