Families told as search is ended
POLICE will start preparing a report for the coroner after a four-day search failed to find any trace of five people missing in the Torres Strait.
Chief Superintendent and Far North district officer Brian Huxley said officers spoke to family yesterday and recommended calling off the search.
“We delivered the terrible news to the families that we have been unable to find their loved ones,” he said.
“It has been an extensive search covering thousands of square kilometres. We have located the boat, we’ve also located life jackets and an EPIRB among other material on that boat, but regrettably, we’ve not been able to locate the people who were in it.
“It’s incredibly sad news not just for Dauan Island and for Saibai, (but) the other islands in the Torres Strait and beyond.
“Over the coming days we’ll be preparing a report for the coroner and we’ll be supporting the families up here in the Torres Strait as they deal with this terrible situation.
“We just don’t know what happened.”
Chief Supt Huxley said police “were absolutely convinced” they were searching the right location but experts have concluded there was no chance of finding the missing group alive.
He also confirmed a child’s body found on the Papua New Guinea coast was not related to the search.
The 7m vessel departed Badu Island on Wednesday with plans to travel to Dauan Island with a 22-year-old man, 47-year-old man, 21-year-old woman, 21-year-old woman and a nine-year-old boy.
Yesterday the search concentrated on coastline with assistance from Queensland police vessels Handran and Olive as well as aircraft.
Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch has called for a new system to ensure the safety of those travelling by boat in the Torres Strait.
“I think we need to have a look at this given the people up there are very mobile, seafaring people, and there are a lot of people from the western Papuan province sailing around there too,” he said.
Cook MP Cynthia Lui expressed her sympathy.
“It’s a very difficult time. My thoughts and my prayers are with all the people involved,” she said. “I also want to thank those involved in the search. I understand the weather is quite severe.”