The boat overturned as it was participating in the local traditional lomban ketupat celebration to mark the seventh day after Idul Fitri. Twenty eight of the passengers were treated at the nearby RSUD RA Kartini hospital while six others were outpatients. 

'The boat was overcapacity. It should only take 15 to 20 passengers at one time,' Jepara Police Chief Adj. Sr. Comr. M. Taslim Chairudin said, Thursday. 

Like previously, the annual tradition was held at the Kartini tourist resort, Jepara, during which locals use fishing boats to travel to the Panjang Island which is located some four kilometers from Kartini Beach to enjoy the beauty of the small island.

The ill-fated boat overturned some 500 meters off Panjang Island as it was heading home to Jepara. The boat already looked sideways as it left Panjang Island due to overcapacity. It never became stable and finally overturned.

As of Thursday afternoon the Jepara Water Police and the Search and Rescue (SAR) was still searching for the missing passengers. The bodies found were sent to the Kartini hospital. Jepara Regent Marzuki visited the victims at the hospital and met with their respective family members. 

'On behalf of the local administration we express our condolence,' Marzuki said.

The search was halted temporarily due to darkness. The search effort is to be continued the following morning.(dic)

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