綜合媒體報導，失聯木製渡輪「布提拉維號」（MV Butiraoi）於本月18日由諾諾烏蒂環礁（Nonouti island）出發，原本預計20日就應抵達比修島（Betio）。
當局直到週四(25日)才發現渡輪失聯，聯絡周邊國家包括新西蘭、斐濟，投入搜救行動。
新西蘭官員艾希比（John Ashby）稍早曾表示，「渡輪出發前曾修理傳動軸，這可能影響了航行」。
今(28)日，新西蘭防禦部隊（New Zealand Defence Force）一架獵戶式（Orion）軍機在太平洋中部發現載有7人的小艇在海上漂流。隨即聯絡在小艇東北方92公裡處的一艘漁船馳援，預計今天下午就可以接到這些倖存者。
艾希比表示，這艘小艇被認為是失蹤渡輪上的2艘小艇之一，目前仍在搜救其他生還者。
NEWS || The @NZAirForce P-3K2 Orion has found seven survivors from a ferry with 50 people on board that was reported missing in Kiribati a week ago. MORE: https://t.co/T0kk6obznJ pic.twitter.com/2bLv9xoAcl
— NZ Defence Force (@NZDefenceForce) 2018年1月28日
UPDATE || A Minimum Aid Delivery Device has been dropped from the Orion containing water & a radio to the dinghy. Comms has been attempted but could not ascertain origin. 55% of the search area is now complete. Orion holds position overhead & people onboard, waiting for vessel. pic.twitter.com/HTH5vpkNFO
— NZ Defence Force (@NZDefenceForce) 2018年1月28日
Imagery that was taken from the @NZAirForce P-3K2 Orion as the fishing vessel picked up the seven survivors from a ferry with 50 people on board that was reported missing in Kiribati a week ago. The Orion crew found the dinghy earlier today: https://t.co/T0kk6obznJ#Force4Good pic.twitter.com/ADGcGa6ivk
— NZ Defence Force (@NZDefenceForce) 2018年1月28日
(責任編輯：盧勇信)
