270 refugee feared dead as ship sinks<\/p>\n
AMBON, Maluku (JP): A boat carrying at least 270 refugees
\nfleeing sectarian violence in Tobelo, Halmahera island in North
\nMaluku, is believed to have sunk somewhere in the Sahu waters off
\nthe northern tip of Sulawesi.<\/p>\n
There was no immediate information on survivors or
\nconfirmation of the exact condition of the overloaded ferry.<\/p>\n
Chief of Maluku's communication ministry office Bob Halattu
\nsaid the Cahaya Bahari, which embarked on Wednesday, reportedly
\ncapsized about 40 kilometers east of Siau island in North
\nSulawesi at about 1 p.m. Eastern Time Zone on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\"Four rescue vessels have been deployed from the port of
\nManado in North Sulawesi to locate the ship. We don't know the
\nstate of the ship, whether it has completely sunk or it's still
\non the water,\" Bob said.<\/p>\n
It is the second ferry carrying Maluku refugees to have sunk
\nsince the Masnait capsized in a storm in Ambon waters in May,
\nresulting in the death of more than 40 passengers.<\/p>\n
Along with passengers, who were mostly women and children, the
\nCahaya Bahari was carrying a cargo of copra.<\/p>\n
According to the list of passengers, only 186 people were on
\nboard. Bob said the ship was allowed to carry up to 270
\npassengers.<\/p>\n
Officials and witnesses, however, said the ship left Tobelo
\nport packed with at least 400 people, mostly refugees from Duma
\nand Makete who fled their villages after the areas were ravaged
\nby rioters last week.<\/p>\n
The violence, which broke weeks of calm, claimed 108 lives,
\naccording to military authorities.<\/p>\n
There are conflicting reports about the ship's status, Bob
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"I heard that there was a leakage and ship crews decided to
\ndump the cargo to keep the boat balanced. But another report said
\nthe ferry capsized,\" Bob said.<\/p>\n
The North Sulawesi transportation office and the Tobelo Port
\nAuthority could not be immediately reached for confirmation.
\n(48\/49\/edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/270-refugee-feared-dead-as-ship-sinks-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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