Six PNG nationals missing at sea ashore in the Russell Islands

Six Papua New Guinea (PNG) nationals from Misima Island went missing at sea ashore in Alokan, Russell Islands, in the Solomon Islands on 14 February 2026.

The six PNG nationals travel from the PNG mainland to Misima Island after dropping off a teacher and a student. They drift at sea for three weeks from PNG sea to the Solomon Islands.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) of Central Province, Superintendent David Soakai, said they encountered bad weather, which gave them poor visibility to see Misima Island, and they ended up running out of fuel.

Superintendent Soakai said people from Alokan Island shelter them and notify the police and health authorities in Yandina. The PNG High Commission in Honiara has been respectfully informed of this matter.

PPC Soakai said police stab-fast crafts were deployed to the Russell Islands to assist them to Honiara for proper arrangement for their way back home.