SYDNEY, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- All passengers and crew aboard a ferry that had been drifting in Solomon Islands waters since Friday have been safely rescued and brought ashore, the country's Temotu provincial government said on Monday.
The government confirmed that all 73 people aboard MV Awka, including passengers and crew, had been transferred to rescue vessel MV HELPR-1 and brought ashore on Vanikoro Island following a coordinated rescue operation.
The ferry suffered engine failure on Friday while travelling towards Vanikoro in Temotu Province, according to the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation.
The provincial government said MV HELPR-1 reached the drifting ferry at around 9 p.m. local time on Sunday, followed by police patrol boat Gizo about two hours later.
The patrol boat began towing MV Awka around midnight, before the passengers and crew were safely transferred to MV HELPR-1 and transported ashore.
France and Australia provided aerial assistance, while the cargo vessel Sunnine 3 diverted from its planned route to deliver food, drinking water and other essential supplies to the stranded ferry, the government said.
The provincial government said arrangements were being made to transport the rescued passengers from Vanikoro to Lata, the provincial capital. ■