161 passengers presumed dead

161 passengers presumed dead

MERAUKE, Irian Jaya: After an extensive two-week search,
officials said on Tuesday the remaining 161 passengers of a ship
which sank on Oct. 18 were missing and presumed dead.

Bimas Raya II was carrying a total 436 passengers and 28 crew.

The head of the rescue team, Bambang Riswanto, said there were
75 survivors. He said the team discovered 200 bodies near the
coast of Komolon beach and Kumbis beach or around the site of the
accident.

"Most of the corpses could not be identified because they were
already decomposed. Only those carrying IDs could be identified."

Among the passengers were 25 people from Senggo, 114 from
Atsy, 24 from Kimam, eight from Haju, six from Paniai Kasuari and
259 from Asgon Port. (eba/02)