2 children still missing a week after boat capsizes in Solomon Islands

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – A week passed since a boat carrying 14 people capsized in the Solomon Islands, but two children still remain missing.

Police in the island nation said the body of one female adult was found while other 11 people managed to swim ashore after the incident happened last week on Monday, Solomon Islands police said.

The children are aged three and seven.

Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Peter Siatai said: "the boat left Kirakira town (in Makira Ulawa province) to head to Na'ana Elite logging company campsite in East Makira on Jan. 16."

"Upon arrival, the boat was unable to go ashore due to big waves developed at the passage. The skipper then diverted the boat to a nearby logging camp at Tamana, where the boat managed to go ashore.

"It was already dark and the passengers were still in the process of offloading their belongings. Suddenly a big wave and a strong current pulled the boat back into the deep water, where the boat, unfortunately, overturned," Sitai said.