The Premier of Malaita claims rescue operation to find the 16 people missing after a boat capsized off Gudalacanal last week was delayed because there was “no money” to mount a rescue operation.
Peter Ramohia has told a visiting journalist from Australia’s Fairfax Media that he contacted the national rescue centre after finding out about the incident late on Wednesday. He said he was told a helicopter search was put off because of an issue over payment to the helicopter company.
Fairfax Media reported the first rescues were not made until late the Thursday morning by private vessels that had set off from Malaita and Guadalcanal.
