Four men from Bakbak Island in Madang Province have been reported missing between the waters of Bakbak and Madang since January 26.
The Madang Provincial Disaster Office says the men’s families reported them missing on Monday 29th January, when they learnt that the four never arrived in Madang since leaving the island.
To reach Madang Town from Bakbak, islanders have to cross the open sea for at least two hours.
Madang Provincial Disaster Coordinator, Rudolf Mongali, said according to the families, the four left Bakbak Island at 8am Friday morning on a 23-foot dinghy.
He said weather conditions at that time were not favourable.
The families of the two crew member and two passengers commenced search since Monday morning.
The Provincial Disaster Office joined the search yesterday.
Mongali is calling on people living on the outer islands of Madang to keep an eye out for these men.
He further urged the islanders to take heed of the weather warnings, especially during this time of very strong winds.