FERRY SINKING LEAVES ONE DEAD, MORE THAN 30 MISSING

SYDNEY, SEPTEMBER 13 /SRNA-Reuters/ – At least one person has died and more than 30 are missing after a ferry sank off the coast of Vanuatu, the office of Prime Minister Jotham Napat said in a statement.

A search-and-rescue operation is under way in the Pacific island nation, located about 1,750 kilometres east of Australia.

The MV Matui sank with dozens of passengers and crew on board, while 15 people have been found alive, according to a statement posted on Facebook.

The statement said strong winds, combined with a failure to heed maritime warnings and possible negligence, including overloading the vessel, may have contributed to the sinking.

New Zealand's public broadcaster reported that the vessel sank in rough weather between Ambae and Santo islands.