7 dead, 27 missing after Indonesian sea accident
The Associated Press, Jakarta | Mon, 02/01/2010 4:15 PM
A ferry sank in a storm in remote
eastern Indonesia, killing at least seven people and leaving 27
missing, a port official said Monday.
The 13 meter (42-foot) speed boat sank Wednesday in a storm off
the Aru islands, about 3,000 kilometers (1,875 miles) east of the
capital, Jakarta. More than 20 onboard were Chinese workers, the
state news agency Antara reported.
The boat was carrying 35 crew and passengers on an inter-island
trip when it capsized in high waves, port head Billy Picarima said
Monday.
A Chinese passenger was rescued by fishermen shortly after the
accident, first reported by authorities Sunday.
The boat's captain reportedly ignored a storm warning, but
government transportation authorities could not be reached for
comment Monday.
Picarima said rescuers recovered seven bodies and continued to
search for the missing.
Boats are a popular and cheap means of transport in Indonesia,
the world's largest archipelagic nation. Safety regulations are
rarely enforced.
