Fears for missing Madagascar boat

Madagascar officials say they have almost given up hope of finding a vessel with some 30 people on board which was last heard from a week ago.

The boat set off from Madagascar for the Comoro Islands, last Monday.

It has not been in contact since a radio message on the same day in which it complained of engine problems.

Nearly all the passengers were from the Comoros. Eight of them had been expelled by the authorities in Madagascar.

A search by two aircraft has failed to trace the vessel.