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Papua New Guinea Ferry Sinks With 350 Onboard

Helicopters, merchant ships join frantic rescue effort

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 2, 2012 12:23 AM CST

(Newser) – Hundreds of people are missing and feared dead after a ferry with up to 350 people on board sank off Papua New Guinea's northern coast. Merchant ships that arrived on the scene after the Rabaul Queen sent a distress signal have rescued 28 people, and helicopters have joined the operation, reports AP. Australian authorities are also helping to save survivors.

The MV Rabaul Queen sent a distress signal early Thursday morning.
The MV Rabaul Queen sent a distress signal early Thursday morning.   (PNG Attitude)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
onbeshero
Feb 2, 2012 8:06 AM CST
I noticed yesterday that a buoy in that area was disturbed on the National Data Buoy Center website.  I then checked with the USGS link and found that there was a 5.5 and a 5.0 earthquake in that area.  I assumed the earthquakes were the cause of the buoy disturbance and now I am wondering if they are the cause of the rough seas which caused the ferry to sink.
HMunster
Feb 2, 2012 7:05 AM CST
Oh holy hell, Papua New Guinea is the LAST fucking place on earth you want to wash up on shore. There will be lots of suddenly-fat tribesmen walking around, belching in a few days... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea5aoOJ5bJo
cornelison
Feb 2, 2012 1:27 AM CST
This is going to sound like a "dumb blonde" joke but I thought it was a ferry WITH 250 sinks. Is 250 sinks on a ferry normal?

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