11 people missing after boat capsized

ELEVEN people are missing at sea after a dinghy with 13 people on board capsized between Western and Gulf at the weekend.
Two from the group, one man and one woman, were found alive on the beach at Silo village in Gulf on Monday, Gulf Senior Inspector Silva Sika said.
He said the dinghy had left Western for Gulf on Saturday.
Details were sketchy yesterday although Sika confirmed that police and local authorities with the help of local communities were still searching for the 11 missing at sea
Gulf experienced strong winds and rain like the rest of the southern region last weekend due to a tropical cyclone developing on the south-eastern side of Milne Bay, deputy provincial administrator, district and local government services, Nevai Kevari said.
He said the province experienced heavy flooding and some parts of the main highway were washed away.
“There are floods everywhere, the Ungabanga Bridge is flooded and cars are not able to pass, there are floods from Lelefiru village all the way to Iokea village,” Kevari said.
“There are also huge waves coming up to the shores of the villages and even to some houses near the sea.
“Inland villages are also flooded, houses are submerged in the river.”
Kevari said the provincial administration had put together a team to do an assessment and compile a report.
“Once we have the report, we will submit it to the National Disaster Centre and our provincial government to see how best we can address the situation.
“The province has not received its funding from the government so we are financially handicapped from doing much.”