A young boy who became separated from his father aboard the MV Lady Samoa III on Monday morning was found about 20 minutes before the ferry arrived at Mulifanua, ending a frantic search that left his father distressed.
The ferry departed Salelologa at 6 a.m. on Monday, July 27, for Upolu. During the crossing, the captain made repeated announcements reminding passengers to remain seated and follow safety instructions before issuing an urgent appeal for help locating the missing child.
Passengers said the father searched throughout the vessel while crew members and fellow travellers joined the search. The boy was eventually found and reunited with his father shortly before the ferry reached Mulifanua.
The incident also raised concerns among passengers about the number of people on board.
Travellers said every seat inside the passenger cabin was occupied, while many others stood outside the cabin, on stairways and in other parts of the ferry throughout the voyage.
