Two die, 15 rescued after dinghy capsized

By JUNIOR UKAHA
TWO people died and 15 were rescued when their dinghy capsized during bad weather off the northern coast of Manus on Sunday.
The incident happened between 3-4pm between Sori Island and Ndrehet off Manus.
Police identified the dead as Tony Borok, 43, and William Pasanai, both from Kali village in the Bisakani-Soparibeu local level government area.
Manus police commander Chief Inspector David Yapu said the 17 were returning to Lorengau in Manus after a burial at Kali Island when they capsized.
The dinghy was carrying the victims, a 44-gallon drum of fuel, a 40hp motor and personal belongings.
“Between Sori and Ndrehet they encountered strong winds and rough seas, which resulted in the boat capsizing and going down,” Yapu said.
“The passengers started to swim ashore but were burnt by the spilled fuel from the drum.
“A young boy managed to swim ashore and quickly sought assistance from Lohang Logging Camp. The people came to rescue the passengers who included a pregnant woman,” Yapu said.
He said the rescued passengers with burns were taken to the Lorengau General Hospital for treatment.
“Unfortunately, the operator of the boat and a three-year-old child, who was in the hands of his mother, died while drifting out waiting to be rescued,” Yapu said.
He warned dinghy operators to take extra precautions before going out to sea as Manus was experiencing strong northwest winds and rough seas.
Meanwhile, the National Weather Services had been issuing warning to coastal villages of rough seas and strong winds in the Highlands.
The weather station has been warning people since last month over strong hail force winds that was being experienced in the country recently.
The NWS had stated that it was unsafe for small boats to go to sea because of strong winds and rain.