The Jakarta Globe, September 14, 2012
At least 21 passengers of a ferry that sunk in the Mahakam River in East Kalimantan continued to be missing and are feared dead, police said on Friday.
The KM Surya Indah, which had 98 people on board based on the latest information, capsized in the Kutai Barat district area late on Thursday evening. So far, one body has been recovered and 76 survivors rescued, district police chief of detectives Adj. Comr, Suparno said, according to the Antara news agency.
The whereabouts of another 21 people who had been on board the unfortunate ship remained unknown the day aftery the incident and they are believed to have all drowned, Suparno said.
Rescue teams composed of police members and local soldiers and residents, are combing the river to find survivors or bodies, he said, adding that the skipper and other crew members of the ship were among the survivors.
KM Surya Indah regularly plies the route between Samarinda and towns in the district of Kutai Barat along the Mahakam River. It was reported to have sunk at 11 p.m. on Thursday.
Sukaryah, the head of the Mahakam Ulu terminal in Samarinda, told Antara that the ship had been bound for Melak carrying a registered 40 passengers, 11 motorcycles and 10 tons of rice.
Boats usually take on more passengers along the way.
The ferry had capacity to transport 96 passengers and 40 tons of cargo.
vr 14 sep 2012 - 8:05