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At least seven dead in Central Java boat selfie accident
The accident happened when all 20 passengers suddenly moved to the one side of the vessel to take a group photo on Saturday in the Boyolali regency, said Central Java police chief Insp. Gen. Ahmad Lutfi.
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This handout photo taken on May 16, 2021 and released by National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) shows rescuers searching for victims after a boat carrying 20 holiday-makers capsized on May 15 at a reservoir in Boyolali, Central Java. (AFP/Handout)
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even people drowned after an overloaded boat capsized because of tourists attempting a selfie in a reservoir in Central Java, police said Sunday.
The accident happened when all 20 passengers suddenly moved to the one side of the vessel to take a group photo on Saturday in the Boyolali regency, said Central Java police chief Insp. Gen. Ahmad Lutfi.
"The cause of the accident was overcapacity," Lutfi told reporters.
"The 20 people took a selfie on the right side then the boat lost balance and flipped."
Police added that 11 people were rescued but seven were found dead. Rescuers were searching for two people still missing.
Authorities said they will look into whether there was negligence by those managing the boat rides at the reservoir.
Lutfi said that the boat was helmed by a 13-year-old.
Boat accidents are common in the country, due to lax safety standards.
In April, rescuers were rushed to find 17 fishermen after two boats collided in West Java. Three were found dead and 13 were still missing when the search ended.
And in January last year, 10 people went missing after a boat carrying 20 migrant workers to neighbouring Malaysia capsized off the coast of Sumatra island.
