The search on the sea for the missing 13 children and 14 adults in East New Britain has been called off due to strong wilds and helicopters will now be used.
The group went missing on Saturday afternoon after they attended a party on Pigeon Island, off the coast of Kokopo in East New Britain.
The adults have been identified as four senior workers of the East New Britain Provincial Health Authority and their children.
East New Britain Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Amanda Kates met with locals at the Kokopo Wharf and has been providing an update on the search and rescue mission.
Kates said it is a situation that is now leading towards a recover missing and not a rescue mission.
“What that means is we are looking for deceased, and I want to put that very plainly that it has been two days and it is looking grim,” said Kates.
Two men who are believed to be the boat operators of the two dinghies were picked up floating in the sea during an extensive search between Kokopo and Pigeon Island but there were no sign of the others.
PPC Kates said, due to the strong winds, the two boats, PPV Manning and RPNGC 90 horsepower that were involved in the search have been called off.
“It is important to note that all agencies, the National Diester, the NMAS and RPNGC, all the local companies have come together to search for whatever we can find” said Kates.
A helicopter has taken off from Lae this morning and will search the area near the cost of New Ireland.
