15 Jan 2009

Small boat missing amid Fiji storm

6:10 am on 15 January 2009

A search will resume on Thursday for a small boat carrying 24 people, which did not make it to Fiji's main island in heavy rainfall and high winds on Wednesday.

The vessel is believed to be drifting in the channel between the smaller islands and Viti Levu. The passengers include several children.

Conditions were too rough for a sea search on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, water levels have risen again in the townships of Ba, Sigatoka, Lautoka and Nadi.

The death toll remains at 11, with the bodies of three people yet to be found.