Authorities dismiss rumors of body found at sea
Search efforts are continuing in Madang waters for a young man who has not reached home since Friday evening after jumping into the sea at Madang's popular picnic spot, Pik Island.
The young man, identity withheld, was amongst a group of mostly grade 8 students from various urban schools, who had decided to go for a picnic on Pik Island last Friday.
The students, about 70 of them, were left stranded on the island when the boats they hired to transport them to and fro the island failed to pick them up after their outing.
They were rescued later into the night, however; minus the missing young man, who decided to swim across to Krangket under heavy rain, strong winds and rough seas.
Word of him going missing only surfaced two days later, which was yesterday afternoon, after his family realised his absence at home.
Search teams, including policemen and relatives, were dispatched this morning after hearing about the predicament.
Policemen involved in the effort have also dismissed rumours of his body being washed ashore at Siar Village, outside town.
Relatives of the missing man confirmed his age as 21 years and is a resident of Lae and only arrived in Madang on Friday and went straight to the picnic.
