22 people missing in boat accident
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Navy and police are still searching for 22 people missing in a boat accident in the Strait of Malacca off Belawan port, North Sumatra last Friday, Antara reported yesterday.
Deputy commander of the Naval Base on Belawan port, Col. TGH Lubis, said there are no details yet about the exact location of where the wooden boat sank. At least 40 Indonesian workers were aboard the boat returning from Malaysia. Eighteen people were rescued by local fishermen.
Lubis said most of the workers were from Central Java and Aceh.
The news agency reported that the boat departed from Kuala Juru waters in Penang, Malaysia last Friday for Tanjung Balai and Belawan in Indonesia.
After several hours of sailing, the boat was hit by strong waves and began to take on water.
Antara reported some of the passengers were adrift on water jerry cans before they were rescued by passing fishing boats.
The news agency reported another boat accident in Maro Kumbe waters off Merauke, Irian Jaya. At least three died in the accident which happened on Nov. 8.
The last victim was found Thursday, according to a spokesman for the Naval Base in Merauke, Capt. Darwin A. Sigilipu. The victim was identified only as Yahya.
The other two victims were identified as Wong Ching of Malaysia and We Siu of China.
Darwin said Wong Ching's body had been returned to Malaysia recently, while those of Yahya and We Siu would be buried in Merauke.
The boat MV Alam Samudra, reportedly loaded with cargo, sank after it was hit by strong winds and waves.
The news agency did not say where the boat departed from or its destination. Sixteen people survived the accident and were rescued by a team of Navy officers, members of the local police, local port authorities and relevant agencies.
Some of the survivors are being treated at the Merauke General Hospital, while the rest have returned home.
The boat, which was used to supply goods to remote subdistricts in Merauke, was reportedly in poor shape and no longer seaworthy. (aan)