Morowali residents still missing after ship mishap

PALU: Four residents of Morowali, Central Sulawesi, were still missing as of Sunday afternoon after their boat was overturned and sunk in the waters between Samarengga and Koikola islands five days earlier.

Antara state news agency reported that Yusdin, Eko, Rendy and Tombo were still missing.

"We found Wasisa who survived the incident. We are still looking for four people," said Winardi, the head of operations at the Morowali Police, on Sunday.

More than 20 people, including staff from the local police office and administration, were searching for those still missing.

"We will continue searching until next week and hopefully we will find them," Winardi said.

Morowali Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Deden Garnada said a huge wave had hit a ship carrying residents from Menui Island who were fleeing their villages, fearing a tsunami, after a 5.8-magnitude earthquake jolted their island last Friday and Sunday.

"They panicked at that time and boarded a ship that would carry them to Sulawesi," Dede said, adding the boat had likely overturned due to excessive weight.

"Fifty people boarded a ship that was meant to only carry 30 people." - JP