TULAGI police have safely transported 15 international war veteran tourists and two local tour guides to Honiara on Monday.
These tourists and tour guides plus two local boat crews survived a boat-capsized incident off Sole Village at Big Ngella in the Central Islands Province on Sunday night.
According to a police report, 19 individuals in total arrived at Vanita Motel on Sunday for a daylong trip on a ray boat owned by Rax Boys. The trip was organised by a Honiara-based tourism operator.
They left Vanita Motel to Sandfly the same day. The boat capsized half way to Sandfly around 6pm due to bad weather.
They managed to go ashore on a reef outside Sole Village where locals assisted them by transporting them to the mainland.
Tulagi Police were notified at 9pm on Sunday and immediately responded at first light, Monday morning.
They were safely transported by the Tulagi police stabi craft to Honiara. All are safe and are in good health though four of them had minor fuel burns on their skin. They were treated before being transported to Honiara.
These tourists have lost most of their travelling documents. Police have informed the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of this incident and the situation these tourists’ face.
Provincial Police Commander (PPC) for Central Province, Superintendent David Soakai said police were not aware of the visit until it received the incident report.
Superintendent Soaki cautioned tourists and transport operators to be cautious of the welfare of visitors by considering boat worthiness, capacity and weather when deciding to get tourists on travel.
“Travelling arrangements must be pre planned and must be channelled through proper authorities in the province to avoid further disasters and casualties in the future.”
PPC Soakai acknowledged police stakeholders and the Central Provincial Government for great support rendered for the successful rescue operation together with the Sole community.
–RSIPF Media
