19 foreigners washed ashore

YOGYAKARTA: Nineteen foreigners were washed ashore on Glagah beach in Kulonprogo regency, 45 kilometers west of Yogyakarta, Saturday, Antara reported yesterday.

According to the news agency, the foreigners were allegedly abandoned at sea when they tried to force their Indonesian crew to sail to Australia's Christmas Island after hiring them for a pleasure cruise.

The group consisted of 11 French citizens, three Italians, two Afghans, one Belgian and one Algerian, all men, and one Swiss woman. They reportedly jumped ship when they realized the crew had abandoned them.

None of the foreigners could produce their passports and demanded the police contact their respective embassies in Jakarta before questioning them, a local police officer said.

Chief detective of Yogyakarta police force, Lt. Col. Erwin Tobing, said five Indonesians were also washed ashore Saturday, with one of the ship's crew still missing. No other details were provided. (23/aan)