A shipping company based in Singapore says it is working with Vanuatu authorities to trace the contacts of a dead crew member found washed ashore and infected with Covid-19.
BW Epic Kosan operates the LPG gas tanker Inge Kosan which is anchored off the capital Port Vila while police and health workers investigate.
Vanuatu police on hand at the discovery of a dead body on the shores of Efate, 11 April, 2021. Photo: Supplied
The man's body was found on a beach not far from the capital ten days ago.
In a statement, the company told RNZ Pacific the man was earlier reported missing from the vessel and an extensive search was carried out.
The firm said after a post mortem revealed the infection, all the ship's crew were tested for the coronavirus and results are still pending.
BW Epic Kosan said it was continuing to work closely with local health authorities on contact tracing and will continue to clean and disinfect the vessel.
Twenty four people are so far reported to be close contacts of the man, including several police officers.
The incident sparked a three day ban on travel from the capital island of Efate and stepped up hygiene measures.