A broadcaster in Kiribati says the nation is in shock, as more details of the missing ferry carrying more than 100 people emerges.
The NZ Defence Force found eight survivors from a ferry with 50 people on board that was reported missing in Kiribati a week ago. Photo: NZ Defence Force
The MV Butiraoi has been missing for 11 days, after initially departing from Nonouti Island to the capital Tarawa - a journey that normally takes two days.
Eight survivors were located drifting on a dinghy on Sunday.
On Monday Kiribait's President Taneti Maamau said the boat was unseaworthy and shouldn't have been operating.
Radio Kiribati editor Rikamati Naare said the incident represented one of the worst disasters to occur in the country.
Mr Naare said the public was shocked by the incident and also by the president's revelations.
"There is anger in the community too. People are posting comments on social media to put the onus and all those who are involved in that company who owns the ship to take legal action."
Some of the seven survivors shortly after being rescued Photo: Facebook/ @RadioKiribati
Mr Naare said some people were so traumatised, they don't want to hear any more details.
"Some of the people don't even want to hear the stories that have been relayed or shared by the survivors. The survivors said that a lot of them were on the boat and a lot of them were clinging to the boat.
"Imagine floating in the sea for days and hours and under the sun and in the cold and in the end only seven of them were found and rescued. You can imagine. Where are the rest?"