Fiji search continues for six healthcare workers missing at sea
A search operation is underway in Fiji for six healthcare workers who went missing after their medical vessel suffered engine failure and sank. One survivor has been rescued, and authorities are coordinating with local communities to locate the remaining team members.
Why it matters
This is a critical humanitarian search-and-rescue operation involving essential medical personnel in a remote maritime region.
Six healthcare workers are still missing after their medical vessel suffered engine problems and sunk.
Fijian authorities are appealing for information from boaties as the search for six healthcare workers who went missing at sea enters its second day.
MD Ono-i-Lau, a Ministry of Health & Medical Services ship, departed for a medical outreach mission yesterday, leaving Moce at 7am.
The district nurse at Oneata alerted the Lakeba Sub-Divisional Hospital when the vessel failed to arrive two hours later.
Search teams were immediately mobilised, and the MD Ono-i-Lau’s boat handler was found this morning, with the vessel’s medical officer, dental officer, charge nurse, peer educator, health inspector and dental assistant still missing.
Now receiving treatment at Lakeba Hospital, the boat handler told rescuers the ship had begun to take on water after the engine failed, forcing the occupants to use wooden planks as flotation devices.
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