30 Sep 2002

Search for eleven missing in Solomon Islands scaled down

3:38 pm on 30 September 2002

The search for eleven people missing off the coast of Solomon Islands remote Te Motu province has been scaled down.

The group, travelling on three canoes powered by outboard motors, have not been seen since Sunday a week ago.

The Search and Rescue Unit had a boat in the area last week but it found no sign of the group, though it did rescue three other people - two women and a child.

The Unit says it has scaled down its activities but is calling on fishing vessels and aircraft operating in the area to keep a look out for the group.