BENEATH a cloudy morning sky and a gentle coastal breeze, students, staff, and local residents of Vunapope in East New Britain gathered to pay their final respects to the victims of the devastating July 18 boat tragedy.
Organized by the Divine Word University (DWU) Rabaul Campus Student Representative Council (SRC), the memorial program commenced with a dedicated church mass. Following the service, a solemn procession made its way from the Sacred Heart Cathedral down to the Vunapope beachfront, the exact point of origin from which the ill-fated group had departed for Pangpang Paradise Island.
Gathered on the beach, the congregation offered one decade of the Holy Rosary for the eternal repose of the souls lost at sea, their voices lifting in hymns sung in English, Pidgin, and Kuanua (the local East New Britain dialect).
Reflecting on the dark days following the tragedy, one student told InsidePNG of the sorrow that hung over the community. She recalled how a heavy sadness filled the air as the entirety of East New Britain went into mourning. From her classroom windows, she could see families keeping vigil by the beach at Omorong, waiting and hoping for updates, a heartbreaking sight that left a lasting impact.
Before being loaded onto a boat and taken out to sea, the floral wreaths were blessed with Holy Water by Fr. Alphonse Dende. Attended by DWU Rabaul Campus staff, students, surrounding residents of Vunapope, and prominent figures including Dame Sandra Lau, Managing Director of Tropicana Ltd, the tribute served as a symbol of love, remembrance, and respect for the 27 precious lives lost in the maritime tragedy.
The twin-boat mishap, which occurred on Saturday, July 18, 2026, sent shockwaves of grief throughout East New Britain and the nation. The vessels had been carrying provincial health authority staff and their families when they capsized amidst treacherous weather and rough seas.
In Port Moresby, a vigil was held by the ENB community by the beach at Era Kone yesterday evening to pay respects to the 27.
These community-led gestures highlight the collective mourning felt across the nation.
As families, institutions, and authorities continue to grapple with the disaster; the ceremonies offer a moment of spiritual comfort and healing for all those touched by the tragedy.
