16 missing off Sumbawa island

Mon, 16 Jul 2001, 00:00 WIB | Source: JP

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: Sixteen people were reported
missing when a vessel sank some six kilometers off Sumbawa island
Friday night.

Sumbawa Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Setiadi PR confirmed the
incident which took place at around 7 p.m. local time and said
that the search was still ongoing to locate more survivors from
the ill-fated Pulau Kelapa II.

Eight survivors have been found so far.

Setiadi said on Sunday that the vessel, carrying 24 crew and
passengers, departed from Tanjung Perak seaport in Surabaya, East
Java, bound for Flores island.

Survivors were reportedly rescued by local fishermen who
witnessed the incident.

Separately the ships owner, Amun, said the vessel's motor
broke down when it approached Sumbawa island.

"The ship was then hit by strong waves," Amun said.

Amun claimed that his company incurred some Rp 15 billion in
financial losses as a result of the accident. (yac)

View JSON | Print