Up to 100 people feared trapped after ferry sinks

About 100 people are feared trapped inside a ferry that sank in rough weather off Papua New Guinea, rescue officials said, a day after the crowded boat went down with about 350 people on board.

Battling strong winds and high seas, merchant ships backed by Australian rescue aircraft returned to search for survivors where the MV Rabaul Queen sank off the South Pacific nation’s north-east coast.

Rescuers plucked scores of people from the sea on Thursday after the ferry was hit by three large waves and quickly sank, Rony Naigu, a rescue official from Papua New Guinea’s maritime safety authority, said.

Rescuers believe 352 people were on board the ferry when it sank and 100 people have been trapped inside.

“We think about 100 didn’t get out in time... Those are the numbers we are working to now,” said Mr Naigu.

Survivors told how the ferry rolled and sank in deep water after it was hit by the waves in stormy conditions.

Scores of passengers survived in life rafts and by clinging to debris before being picked up by merchant vessels that diverted to the scene by Australian maritime safety authorities.