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At least 10 killed as boat capsizes in Riau Islands
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Fishing boats moor on the beach of Teluk Penyu in Cilacap, Central Java, in this file photo. (JP/Agus Maryono)
T
en people have drowned while five are still missing after a wooden boat carrying 17 people capsized in the province of Riau Islands on Sunday morning.
The small boat, called pompong by local people, departed from Sri Bintan Pura Port in Tanjungpinang to Penyengat Island with 16 passengers and the captain. It capsized at 9:05 a.m., just seven minutes after leaving the port, news agency Antara reported on Sunday.
Two of the 17 people aboard the boat, named Resti and Said, have been rescued. Resti survived after officers of a larger vessel, the MV Baruna, threw a rescue buoy to her not long after the boat capsized. No details were immediately available on the rescue of Said.
"We are deeply grieving the incident. Personnel from various offices are still conducting search and rescue efforts for the missing passengers," Tanjungpinang city secretary Riono, said as quoted by Antara.
Riau Islands Deputy Police chief Sr. Comr. Yan Fitri blamed bad weather for the accident. Strong winds and high waves have lashed the port city of Tanjungpinang in the past month. (rin)
