13 fishermen missing at sea

MANADO, North Sumatra: At least 13 fishermen from Petta Island have been missing since Tuesday when their boats sank in stormy seas in separate accidents, a press report said.

Chief of Sangihe Talaud police detective First Lt. F. Sampelan said that up until the weekend search and rescue workers had found the body of only one fisherman, Antara reported.

A bigger boat carrying timber had passed near one of the ill- fated boats but failed to rescue the fishermen because the stormy seas were just too rough, he said. (pan)