Passengers still missing in Halmahera boat accident

Jakarta   /  Sun, October 16, 2016  /  01:14 pm

A boat belonging to the Taliabu Island administration in North Maluku burns in this file photo taken in September 2016.(Kompas.com/Yamin Abd Hasan)

Four passengers involved in a boat accident in West Halmahera on Saturday are still missing, an official said Saturday evening. In total, 41 passengers were on the boat at the time of the incident.

The Bintang Fajar caught fire Saturday afternoon in Jailolo waters, West Halmahera, North Maluku province. Khalid Ismail, the head of the West Halmahera Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), said the search for the missing passengers continued.  

“From 41 passengers, 37 have been found, but four are thought to be dead,” Khalid said on Saturday as quoted by kompas.com.

Khalid said the fire was caused by machinery problems. The fire started several minutes after the boat left Jailolo Port on its way to Ternate.

“The boat was departing from Jailolo when locals saw smoke emanating from it. Locals quickly sailed into the waters to save the passengers.”

Several passengers are still being treated at Jailolo Hospital. Some have returned home. (evi)