The people and leaders of Vanuatu came together for a national day of mourning and remembrance on Sunday to pay their respects to the more than 40 people who lost their lives in major boating tragedies in recent weeks.
In another boating incident, six men lost their lives while travelling between Erromango and Tanna on 7 August.
The day of mourning and remembrance – the first-ever such event – was held at Feiawa Park in Port Vila on Sunday afternoon. It was led by Vanuatu’s Prime Minister Jotham Napat, government ministers, traditional leaders, and families of those who had lost their loved ones to the tragic maritime incidents.
Napat thanked everyone of you who turned up in support of the event.
“You came in black and white, you brought your flowers, you stood with us – to remember the 45 lives we lost at sea. To the families, thank you for allowing us to mourn with you,” he said in a statement.
The Torba and Penama provinces also held simultaneous remembrance events as well.
“Though separated by sea, today we were one nation, one family, one heart. Your presence shows that Vanuatu cares. That we will not forget. And that we stand together to build safer seas.”
Meanwhile, the Vanuatu Daily Post reported that 13 Pentecost chiefs, backed by chiefs and communities in Torba, Malampa, Shefa and Tafea provinces, have called for urgent and permanent reforms to Vanuatu’s maritime safety system.
The newspaper reported that, in a petition dated 15 September, the chiefs said the sea was the country’s highway, livelihood and heritage and must not become a graveyard.
“They said while Vanuatu hosts one of the world’s largest international shipping registries, the domestic system intended to protect its own citizens remains severely underfunded,” the report said.
