Vanuatu ferry sinking leaves one dead and over 30 missing

Rescuers are maintaining search efforts for survivors of the capsized fishing vessel off the coast of Cape Verde, even as the national government has begun to scale back its open‑water operations. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday night, left at least 27 crew members unaccounted for after the boat was reported missing in rough seas. The Maritime Safety Authority, in coordination with the Coast Guard and international aid groups, deployed helicopters, patrol boats, and sonar equipment to locate any remaining persons in the water.

Authorities said the decision to reduce the scope of the open‑water search reflects a reassessment of the operational risks and the diminishing likelihood of finding additional survivors, given the passage of time and deteriorating weather conditions. While the scaled‑back effort will focus on a narrower search corridor near the last known coordinates, rescue teams will continue to monitor the area and stand ready to respond to any new information. The government has pledged to support ongoing investigations and to provide assistance to the families of those missing.