Search continues for missing victim in South Sulawesi ship collision
Andi Hajramuni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar | Thu, 08/05/2010 11:08 AM
A joint rescue team continued Thursday its search for at least 10 people who went missing after two cargo ships collided in the Selayar Strait, 40 kilometers west of Selayar Island in South Sulawesi, early Wednesday morning.
The team with around 100 personnel included members of the local search and rescue agency, university students, the naval base and police.
Sulawesi Search and Rescue Agency chief Mochamad Hernanto told The Jakarta Post the search was focused on areas in Bulukamba regency, following a water current that moves westward.
Eleven people, including a 1-year-old girl, were rescued after the KM Trisal Pratama, which left provincial capital Makassar on Tuesday on its way to Flores in East Nusa Tenggara, collided with KM Indimatam, heading to Makassar from Serui, Papua.
The Trisal, carrying 2,000 tons of cement, sank quickly. Eleven of those on board were pulled from the water by three passing ships and rushed back to Makassar.
The Indimatam, which was carrying scrap metal and 14 passengers and crew stayed afloat.
