22 Jul 2009

15 confirmed dead in Kiribati boating accident

4:11 pm on 22 July 2009

Fifteen people have been confirmed dead and 18 are still missing in Kiribati's worst boating accident.

A double-hulled canoe capsized at the beginning of last week on a voyage from Tarawa to Maiana, about 60km to the south.

Commander of the Police Maritime Service in Kiribati John Mote says 55 people were believed to have been on board the canoe.

The New Zealand Air Force assisted in the search and helped to spot debris.