14 Jul 2005

Search for two missing at sea in French Polynesia

12:37 pm on 14 July 2005

Poor weather conditions in the Tuamotu archipelago in French Polynesia are hindering efforts to find two people missing at sea.

The Tahitipresse news agency reports a surveillance plane and two fishing vessels began searches yesterday after a small fishing boat which left the atoll of Hikueru on Saturday, failed to return.

The sea rescue centre in the capital, Papeete, said the boat was heading for the atoll of Makemo to pick up two more people.

Police have made inquiries on both atolls.