22 people missing in boat accident<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Navy and police are still
\nsearching for 22 people missing in a boat accident in the Strait
\nof Malacca off Belawan port, North Sumatra last Friday, Antara
\nreported yesterday.<\/p>\n
Deputy commander of the Naval Base on Belawan port, Col. TGH
\nLubis, said there are no details yet about the exact location of
\nwhere the wooden boat sank. At least 40 Indonesian workers were
\naboard the boat returning from Malaysia. Eighteen people were
\nrescued by local fishermen.<\/p>\n
Lubis said most of the workers were from Central Java and
\nAceh.<\/p>\n
The news agency reported that the boat departed from Kuala
\nJuru waters in Penang, Malaysia last Friday for Tanjung Balai and
\nBelawan in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
After several hours of sailing, the boat was hit by strong
\nwaves and began to take on water.<\/p>\n
Antara reported some of the passengers were adrift on water
\njerry cans before they were rescued by passing fishing boats.<\/p>\n
The news agency reported another boat accident in Maro Kumbe
\nwaters off Merauke, Irian Jaya. At least three died in the
\naccident which happened on Nov. 8.<\/p>\n
The last victim was found Thursday, according to a spokesman
\nfor the Naval Base in Merauke, Capt. Darwin A. Sigilipu. The
\nvictim was identified only as Yahya.<\/p>\n
The other two victims were identified as Wong Ching of
\nMalaysia and We Siu of China.<\/p>\n
Darwin said Wong Ching's body had been returned to Malaysia
\nrecently, while those of Yahya and We Siu would be buried in
\nMerauke.<\/p>\n
The boat MV Alam Samudra, reportedly loaded with cargo, sank
\nafter it was hit by strong winds and waves.<\/p>\n
The news agency did not say where the boat departed from or
\nits destination. Sixteen people survived the accident and were
\nrescued by a team of Navy officers, members of the local police,
\nlocal port authorities and relevant agencies.<\/p>\n
Some of the survivors are being treated at the Merauke General
\nHospital, while the rest have returned home.<\/p>\n
The boat, which was used to supply goods to remote
\nsubdistricts in Merauke, was reportedly in poor shape and no
\nlonger seaworthy. (aan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/22-people-missing-in-boat-accident-1447893297",
"image": ""
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