Seven PNG fishermen still missing in Torres Strait

By Naomi Lim 

The Courier-Mail  

July 13, 2013 10:24AM

HOPES are fading for seven fishermen missing in the Torres Strait for five days.

Thursday Island Water Police were called to join the air and sea search on Friday morning but the rescue effort was called off last night.
Four aircraft and one vessel combed waters south of Papua New Guinea but failed to find the fishermen, who are believed to have left Daru Island on Sunday, July 7.

Seven fishermen are missing after their boat capsized en route to Warrior Reef. Source: Supplied

Police said the boat and its 10 crew members intended to go fishing off Warrior Reef, 20 nautical miles west of Yorke Island.
"Sometime on Sunday or Monday the vessel overturned, throwing all on-board into the water," police said in a statement.
"Three of the men were subsequently picked up by a passing fishing boat on Monday and conveyed to Daru Island."
The boat washed up on the PNG mainland on July 10.
The search has been suspended while further investigations are conducted with Papua New Guinea authorities.