P&O Cruises’ parent company, Carnival Australia, has suspended its contract with its tour operator in Port Vila until a full investigation into yesterday’s road accident is complete.
The tour operator’s bus was returning from a trip to Ekasup Cultural Village with 12 P&O guests when it crashed into a local bus.
Three locals were killed in the collision and 10 tourists from Australia were evacuated for treatment.
In an update, the cruise line’s Executive Chairman, Ann Sherry, said guests with serious injuries were sent to Noumea hospital. Among them was a young boy who sustained the “most severe” injuries. Sherry said he’s showing “much more positive signs” of improvement.
The seven other injured passengers with fractures and “other injuries that we’ve been able to stablise” have either been airlifted out or waiting to be taken to Brisbane.
“We’ve been very focused over the last 24 hours, making sure anyone who was injured had the right level of care and had access to the right level of treatment.”
Ann Sherry, P&O Cruises Executive Chairman
With passengers in the right care, the P&O boss said the cruise line will begin a full review of the incident.
“We’re about to turn and undertake a full review,” she said.
In Vanuatu, the Minister of Public Utilities Hon. Jotham Napat said local police will complete a full investigation of the accident.
“The Vanuatu government is committed to ensuring safety on our roads.”
Hon. Jotham Napat, Minister of Public Utilities
“We recently announced plans to strengthen our road rules to meet tougher international standards.”
Sherry said all P&O tour operators have to be “fully accredited and are required to meet our global assurance standards”. She added that if “things aren’t being done properly”, the company will know about it, News.com.au reported.
