IMO Secretary General Koji Sekimizu has extended his sincere condolences to friends and families of all those who have been caught up in the MV Rabaul Queen sinking in Papua New Guinea.

Mr. Sekimizu spoke with the Papua New Guinea High Commissioner in London, Ms Winnie Anna Kiap, to express his deep sympathy and compassion for all those involved in the accident.

Mr. Sekimizu also expressed his appreciation for all those participating in the rescue efforts, in which Papua New Guinea and Australian rescue personnel, the Papua New Guinea Maritime

Rescue Co-ordination Centre, and merchant ships in the area, have been involved.

He also confirmed that IMO would be ready and willing, through its technical co-operation activities, to offer Papua New Guinea