The New Ireland Provincial Health Authority officially handed over the body of the third female victim that was found on Djaul Island yesterday afternoon, to the East New Britain Provincial Health Authority before midday today, after the body was kept at the Kavieng General Hospital Mortuary last night.
The deceased victim was flown to Nonga General Hospital in East New Britain Province for the families and relatives to identify.
The body has been identified as Ms. Carol Malisa Peni, who is a staff member of the East New Britain Provincial Health Authority.
Ms. Peni along with her husband and three young children were part of the three other ENB Provincial Health Authority staff members and their respective families, who were part of the tragic boat incident that occurred on the afternoon of Saturday 18th July 2026, when returning to Kokopo from Pangpang Paradise Island from a leisure trip.
This brings the tally to three (3) bodies (all female) recovered, while 24 others are still missing. The other two bodies that were found earlier were identified as Melat Victor (Mother), and Clemensia Victor (Daughter). All three bodies are currently at Nonga hospital.
After the fifth day since the two boats capsized only 3 bodies were recovered whilst 24 are still missing as authorities and search parties continue to look for the remaining bodies.
East New Britain Provincial Administrator and Chairman of ENB Disaster Committee – Mr. Levi Mano told PNG Haus Bung this morning in an interview that the search teams have encountered some serious, bad weather problems, especially the sea search team, restricting them to go out.
He highlighted that since the search started on Sunday, they had to rely heavily on aerial search as the sea was too difficult and dangerous for the small boats to be use in the search.
He also thanked the people of Djaul Island and the concerned Authorities in New Ireland, and the people of New Ireland Province for their support and assistance with the search, and the respect they had given and shown to the bodies of the three victims found on their island.
Mano is hopeful that the bodies of the remaining 24 victims will be found in the next few days, however, considering the current weather situation, it is making it difficult for the search and recovery team to go out.
As he extends his sympathy and condolences to the families and relatives of the 27 victims, Mr. Mano is also urging the people in the province, especially the people in the Islands to be vigilant and apply all safety measures when they are out on the sea.
He said the Provincial Administration is working closely with the National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) to ensure that small boat owners and operators especially the boats that are registered, to have their trackers fully working and that all safety precautionary measures are observed and followed when they wish to go out on sea. Specifically, the people of Duke of York Islands, who rely only on sea transport to access other services in Kokopo.
Meanwhile the New Ireland Provincial Health Authority have extended their deepest and heart-felt condolences to the East New Britain Provincial Health Authority team, and the families and friends affected by this tragic incident, and they remain committed to provide further support through every step of this journey together.
