Confusion reigns over accident death toll<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The public in Ambon is growing angry over confusion surrounding
\nthe number of victims believed to have been trapped in the
\nwreckage of a ferry that sank off Ambon, capital of Maluku, on
\nSunday.<\/p>\n
According to the information released by local authorities,
\nthe number of people likely to have been trapped aboard the ill-
\nfated ferry was 15, while local Muslim organizations reported at
\nleast 63 people were still missing.<\/p>\n
Administrator of Slamet Riyadi seaport in Ambon Capt. Sutedjo
\nsaid in a media conference in Ambon on Thursday that the number
\nof people believed to be trapped aboard the sinking ferry was not
\nmore than 15.<\/p>\n
The ferry, Masohi Star, capsized on its voyage from Ambon to
\nMasohi, capital of Central Maluku, at 7:30 p.m. local time on
\nSunday, due to overloading. According to the manifest released by
\nthe seaport administrator, the number of passengers was only 104
\nbut eyewitnesses said the ferry was overloaded, with more than
\n200 passengers aboard.<\/p>\n
Five people were found dead while 145 survivors were rushed to
\nthree hospitals for treatment of light injuries, while at least
\n63 others are feared to have been trapped aboard the ferry.<\/p>\n
A rescue team is still searching for the missing passengers
\nwho are now believed to be dead.<\/p>\n
The team, led by Col. Buyung Lalana, chief of the naval base
\nin Ambon, has asked the National Rescue Agency (Basarnas) to send
\nequipment capable of raising the ferry wreckage in an attempt to
\nrecover the missing victims' bodies.<\/p>\n
Raising of the wreckage was scheduled for Friday morning, on
\nthe assumption that the necessary equipment would arrive in Ambon
\non Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the city legislative council in Ambon is proposing
\nto ask for a report from the relevant authorities, especially the
\nlocal sea transportation office and the Slamet Riyadi seaport
\nauthorities, at their regular meeting next week.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the city legislature Lucky Wattimury said the two
\ngovernment offices were obliged to deliver an account of the
\nincident as well as provide accurate data on the ferry
\npassengers.<\/p>\n
The transportation law stipulates jail sentences and fines for
\nofficials found guilty of ignoring any violations of it.<\/p>\n
\"We have set a schedule. The hearing will be carried out next
\nweek with its primary objective being to ask the relevant
\nauthorities for their account of the incident,\" said Lucky.<\/p>\n
He added the legislature was preparing a draft bylaw to
\ntighten patrols of all public transportation to prevent it from
\nbeing targeted by conflicting factions in the restive province.<\/p>\n
The province has been ridden by a sectarian conflict that has
\nclaimed more than 2,000 lives and displaced more than 750,000
\npeople.<\/p>\n
Another ferry, the Kalifornia, exploded early this year,
\nkilling more than 50 people and injuring more than 120 others. No
\ngroup has claimed responsibility for the fatal incident.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/confusion-reigns-over-accident-death-toll-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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