PNG ferry reported lost
By PNG correspondent Liam Fox
Updated February 02, 2012 1519
Map: Papua New Guinea
An Australian search and rescue plane is on its way to Papua New Guinea to help find a ferry that is believed to have sunk, possibly with hundreds of people on board.
The MV Rabaul Queen disappeared while travelling from Kimbe on the island of New Britain to Lae on Papua New Guinea's mainland.
The ferry's operator Rabaul Shipping says it lost contact with the ferry early this morning.
An employee says the company has not confirmed how many people are on board, but a source close to the search and rescue operation says there could be up to 350.
PNG's national disaster centre says two helicopters and a ship have been dispatched to search the area in addition to the two search and rescue vessels sent out by the country's National Maritime Safety Authority.
The Australian High Commission says the Australian Maritime Safety Authority has joined the effort to find the ferry.
A spokesman says the authority has sent a plane from Cairns that can drop life rafts into the water.
The Department of Foreign Affairs says the ferry's owners do not believe foreigners were onboard, however consular are still seeking official confirmation.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard says the Government is working to identify whether any Australians were on board the stricken ferry.
Regular ferry services run to Kimbe, a popular dive site that attracts tourists from across the world.
Topics: maritime, disasters-and-accidents, accidents, papua-new-guinea
First posted February 02, 2012 13:29:53