The Bougainville Disaster Office says after several days of searching there has been no sign of the six people who went missing while on a trip to Nissan Island.
The group which included Bougainville Health Minister, Charry Napto and his wife and son, left Buka for Nissan late morning last Saturday.
Sunset over a calm ocean in Bougainville.
Photo: Wellington Chocolate Factory
But they never arrived on the outer island.
A survivor reached shore and has been able to tell officials about the sudden sinking of the banana boat, but the head of the Disaster Office, Lieutenant Colonel John Imaka, says, despite a wide search by aircraft and boats, nothing has been found.