Six healthcare workers are currently missing at sea and a coordinated search and rescue operation remains underway in the Lau Group after a punt named MD Ono-i-Lau, carrying seven people suffered engine failure and failed to reach its intended destination.
They say the six healthcare workers consist of a Medical Officer, Dental Officer, Charge Nurse, Peer Educator, Health Inspector and a Dental Assistant who were part of a medical outreach team.
Fiji Navy says the incident was reported to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Fiji yesterday, prompting an immediate multi-agency response involving the Fiji Police Force and other relevant government agencies.
The Navy stresses that search operations continue with multiple assets deployed, including a search aircraft providing aerial surveillance over the area.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health says the boat handler for the punt was found this morning, however six more healthcare workers remain missing out in the Lau Waters.
The Ministry says the team departed Moce at 7am yesterday bound for Oneata and was expected to arrive after two hours.
They say the vessel is powered by a 75 horse power engine and is carrying sufficient fuel and life jackets.
The Ministry says after failing to arrive at the expected time, the District Nurse in Oneata contacted the Lakeba Sub Divisional Hospital and search parties were mobilized yesterday afternoon.
Information gathered from the boat handler indicated that after the engine failed, the boat began to take in water.
The medical team removed the wooden planks used as flooring in the vessel as their floaters and had their life jackets on.
In an effort to get a mobile reception, the boat handler offered to swim to Aiwa Island and left the rest of the medical team safely secured with no injuries sustained to any of them.
After swimming at open sea for hours, the boat handler was found this morning by a search party from Lakeba.
The Navy has urged mariners travelling through the waters between Oneata, Aiwa, Moce, and Lakeba to maintain a vigilant lookout and report any sightings or information that may assist search teams.
Residents of nearby coastal communities are also encouraged to check surrounding shorelines and report any relevant information to the nearest police station or by calling the toll-free line on 1539.
The Fiji Police Force, together with partner agencies, remains committed to the ongoing search operation.
There was some miscommunication earlier by some officials that the 7 people were found however, this was quickly clarified that new information coming in confirmed that 6 people are still missing at sea.
Stay with us for updates.
