Police have intensified the search for 27 people reported missing at sea near Pigeon Island in East New Britain, deploying patrol vessels, boats and aerial surveillance as investigations into the incident continue.
The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary said in a statement that the group went missing on Saturday, July 18, and includes four staff members of the East New Britain Provincial Health Authority, their family members and friends.
According to police, the missing group comprises 14 adults, 11 children and two other adult males.
The Provincial Disaster Office launched an immediate search after a ward member from the Duke of York Local Level Government reported capsized boats at 4:51pm on Saturday.
No survivors were found during the initial search.
East New Britain Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Amanda Kates said Police Patrol Vessel Manning and an RPNGC 90-horsepower boat were deployed on Sunday to assist with the search, which has continued daily.
She confirmed that police have opened a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Two survivors, both believed to be boat skippers, made it ashore on the mainland and were retrieved by police on Sunday. They were taken to Kokopo Police Station where they are assisting investigators.
Superintendent Kates thanked R & M Marine Services Limited for supporting the deployment of Police Patrol Vessel Manning.
“Their contribution has been extremely valuable and is greatly appreciated by everyone involved in the search operation,” she said.
The search was expanded on Tuesday with Manolos Aviation conducting targeted aerial searches over designated areas in an effort to locate the missing people.
PPC Kates has appealed to the public not to circulate false information or speculation, urging people to rely only on official updates because of the sensitive nature of the incident.
The search operation remains ongoing.