Around 90 feared missing, eight killed in Lembata boat accident
Antara, Maumere, East Nusa Tenggara | Mon, 08/09/2010 3:36 PM
Eight people were killed and at least 90 others were
missing as "Hasnita" motor boat sank in Lembata waters, East Nusa Tenggara
(NTT) Province, Monday, as reported by Antara.
First Inspector Abdul Rachman, head of the Waiwerang police
sector, confirmed about the sea accident in East Adonara, Adonara Island of
East Nusa Tenggara on Monday.
The motor boat had around 100 people on board, according
to a preliminary report from a relative of one of the ill-fated boat's passengers.
The boat had left Boleng traditional seaport in Ile
Boleng sub district, East Flores District, NTT, on Monday at 8:30 am local
time, for Lembata, which is just one hour away by a boat.
Most of the passengers were farmers and traders intending
to sell agricultural products in Lembata because Monday is a market day.
But, their boat sank in Waijarang, just few minutes
before arriving in Lembata, Abdul Rachman said.
The boat reportedly capsized after being hit by huge
waves and all passengers were drowned.
Search and rescue officers were still looking for the
missing people, and they have so far found eight dead bodies.
Three of the dead bodies were identified by their names
as Emilia Jati, Beatrix Mita and Kewa Suleman.
