Six died by drowning, others injured

Tuesday, 01/11/2011 - 12:27

Pangandaran (AFP) .- Six people were killed and dozens of others wounded when a boat carrying dozens of illegal immigrants from the Middle East foundered in the sea off Pangandaran, Kab. Ciamis. The plan was for the ship to cross over to Australia to deliver immigrants to seek political asylum.
Currently all the victims are in Pangandaran Health Center. Meanwhile, 39 survivors are secured in the Navy Base, Air Police Pangandaran POS. They all suffered shock and trauma because of the shipwreck.
The vessel was expected to get into trouble this morning, when it became evident that the waves were very high. Herman, the ships captain, tried to bring the ship back to the shore, but much water had entered the boat and the ship sank.
Until now, the SAR team Pangadaran is still searching for more survivors or those that have drowned. Most of these immigrants are from Iran and Afghanistan.


(as read in the Pikiran Rakyat)

Body of Iranian boy found in Indonesian waters

Associated Press, Jakarta Wed, 11/02/2011 7:04 PM


Police in Indonesia say the number of people killed when a ship carrying asylum seekers capsized in the country's waters has climbed to eight.

The toll rose Wednesday after the body of a 9-year-old Iranian boy was recovered.

The boat was carrying around 70 people mostly from Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. It was heading to Australia via Timor island when it sank in stormy weather Tuesday.

Police chief Capt. Sugiarto says 48 people have been rescued. Rescuers are searching for those still missing.

Sugiarto says all those confirmed dead were Iranian. Three were children.

Indonesia's thousands of islands and miles (kilometers) of unpatrolled coastline have made it a key transit point for smuggling migrants. Many are trying to reach Australia.