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Story summary
- Prime Minister Jotham Napat reported one dead and over 30 missing after MV Matui ferry sank.
- Authorities suspect strong winds, ignored marine warnings, and possible overloading caused the sinking.
- Rescuers are scaling back open-water searches and focusing on Vanuatu’s south-east coast.
- The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in New Caledonia and a French Armed Forces aircraft joined the search.
- Vanuatu authorities launched a formal negligence investigation.