Several people are feared dead after a ferry carrying as many as 350 passengers on board sank off the north coast of Papua New Guinea, PNG.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said this is obviously a major tragedy and there is likely to be a very high death toll.
A maritime official said rescue workers have rescued 28 people from the water so far. He added, hundreds of passengers were still unaccounted for.
Rescue co-ordinator Captain Nurur Rahman said four merchant ships were diverted to the scene by Australian authorities to help with the rescue.
PNG's National Maritime Safety Authority said a distress signal was sent from the MV Rabaul Queen on Thursday morning when travelling between Lae and the West New Britain town of Kimbe in the east of the Pacific nation today.
