Sharks attacked capsize survivors
NZPA-AP Honiara At least two people were eaten by sharks when a Solomon Islands ferry capsized with up to 55 passengers and crew on board, according to survivor accounts quoted yesterday by the Australian High Commission. The Third Secretary, Perry Head, said 21 survivors recounted their ordeal to authorities after being plucked from a liferaft on Tuesday night, five days after the ferry sank. Mr Head said most of them were very sick, suffering from exposure and
heat exhaustion. They were found drifting 96km north of where the “Vula” sank in bad weather last Thursday. Rescuers found several bodies floating in the water yesterday. Mr Head said search efforts were continuing but that officials had given up hope of finding more survivors. The 78-tonne ferry, chartered by an s Australian timber firm, was carrying two bulldozers and other heavy equipment when it flipped over en route from Honiara to Isabel Island, a distance of 70km.
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Press, 26 February 1987, Page 6
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159Sharks attacked capsize survivors Press, 26 February 1987, Page 6
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