135 rescued after ferry sinks in South Sulawesi

JAKARTA (JP): Rescue workers and fishermen searching for the crew and passengers of a ferry which capsized near Lambasina in South Sulawesi on Friday night have found five bodies and 135 survivors.

Two of the casualties were identified as Mahmuddin, a 44-year- old native of Bulukumba, and two-year-old Albotur of Kolaka, South Sulawesi. The identities of the other three are unknown.

The victims were found at separate locatins.

Antara news agency reported on Sunday that the captain of the vessel, Masjidin, was among those rescued in the two-day search effort in Bone Bay.

With the number of people saved far higher than the total listed on the manifest, officials wish to query Masjidin, who was receiving medical treatment for reported distress.

The 2,000-ton ferry reportedly carried 122 passengers, a crew of 17, nine trucks, six cars and 41 tons of miscellaneous commodities when it embarked from Bajoe in South Sulawesi. It was licensed to carry 300 people and 15 trucks.

Sources told Antara it was common for port officials to allow their own or crew members' relatives board a vessel without listing them on the manifest. "The extra passengers are not listed because they do not buy tickets."

Officials said the search and rescue teams, using three ferries, would continue their efforts after the finding of unlisted passengers. Local fishermen have helped the search, saving no less than 30 people so far.

Most of the survivors have returned to their respective homes in Kolaka and Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, after receiving medical treatment at the Kolaka state hospital.

Among them was an Austrian tourist identified as Mag Hauser Markys.

Chief of Southeast Sulawesi transportation agency, Mawardi Yusuf, said his office was investigating the cause of the accident.

An air police officer told The Jakarta Post that storms had sunk the boat. Another source said leaks caused by a big wave had capsized the vessel, while Kompas daily quoted Lt. Col. Edi Permadi, chief of the local police, as saying the ferry sank after experiencing engine trouble.

The ferry, owned by local shipping company PT Yuli Rahayu, capsized four and a half hours into its seven-hour journey. (amd)