Authorities confirm that more than 80 passengers were on board the ferry that sank in the Pacific island nation of Kiribati.

A feverish search is underway, but only seven people have been found alive so far and the hope of finding more survivors is diminishing.
It was initially unclear how many people may have been on board when the ferry sank. There were various reports of 35 people up to 100, but it is now beginning to become clear.

”"Kiribati authorities have confirmed that approximately 80 people plus approximately five crew members were on board the ferry," the New Zealand Rescue Coordination Centre said in a statement.

According to the statement, four aircraft from New Zealand, Australia and the United States are searching the area where the ferry disappeared. The focus is on finding one of the rubber dinghies that was launched when the ferry sank.
”"The rubber boat is designed to accommodate 25 people, but it can take more," according to the statement.

Source: TT