One person has died and more than 30 are missing after a ferry sank off the coast of Vanuatu, the country’s government says.

The vessel, MV Matui, had set sail with more than 40 passengers and crew on Friday from the island of Santo to Ambae island in very rough seas, but did not arrive.

“Our hearts and prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones,” Vanuatu prime minister Jotham Napat’s office said in a statement on Sunday.

“Search and rescue operations are continuing.”

Fifteen of those onboard have been “accounted for alive” and one body has been recovered, the statement said.

“Over 30 people remain missing at sea,” it said.

“To the survivors, we ⁠pray for your strength and recovery. To the families of ​those ​missing and those we ​have lost, please know that the nation stands ​with you ‌in this time ​of ​grief.”

An investigation into potential negligence has been launched.

“This loss appears to be the result of strong winds and marine warnings not being heeded, and possibly of negligence including overloading of the vessel,” the statement added.

The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in New Caledonia said it was assisting with the search, and a French Armed Forces aircraft was deployed on Sunday morning.

The centre said 12 people were located on Sunday morning.

Matai Seremaiah, the member of parliament for Luganville who is assisting in the search, said efforts would concentrate on the south-east coast where currents may have carried survivors.

With Agence France-Presse and Reuters