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Indonesia Ferry Sinks; Hundreds Feared Dead

Reports of survivor numbers conflict

By Drew Nelles,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 11, 2009 3:00 PM CST
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(Newser) – Hundreds are presumed dead after a passenger ferry sank off the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, the Times of London reports. The 700-ton Borneo-bound ship was carrying about 260 people when it capsized today under a massive wave brought on by the local rainy season. Rescue efforts are under way, hampered by severe wind and heavy rains, authorities say.

Government reports on survivors are conflicting: One spokesman says 18 people have been rescued, and a minister insists 150 survivors are in “good condition.” Many passengers threw themselves into the sea after the ship—which reportedly only had three lifeboats—was hit by a freak 13-foot wall of water. As the world's biggest archipelago, Indonesia relies on such ships to ferry people between its 17,000 islands.

Indonesian ellite Brigade Mobile policemen and ambulances come off a ferry at Cilacap port in central Java, Indonesia, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008.
Indonesian ellite Brigade Mobile policemen and ambulances come off a ferry at Cilacap port in central Java, Indonesia, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008.   (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)
Thousands of motorcyclists are seen queuing to board a ferry in Surabaya, Indonesia. As an archipelago, the country depends on ferry transport.
Thousands of motorcyclists are seen queuing to board a ferry in Surabaya, Indonesia. As an archipelago, the country depends on ferry transport.   (AP Photo/Trisnadi)
Indonesian travelers on motorcycles queue to board a passenger ferry at Gilimanuk port in Jembrana, Indonesia, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007.
Indonesian travelers on motorcycles queue to board a passenger ferry at Gilimanuk port in Jembrana, Indonesia, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007.   (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)
An Indonesia boy jumps into the water at Cilacap port in central Java, Indonesia.
An Indonesia boy jumps into the water at Cilacap port in central Java, Indonesia.   (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)
A passenger ferry sank 30 miles off the coast of Majene, Indonesia.
A passenger ferry sank 30 miles off the coast of Majene, Indonesia.
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Indonesia's poor safety record
Al Jazeera

Video of the survivors
BBC

 
Indonesia • shipwreck • death • drowning • ferry • Borneo

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