24 still missing in Kupang waters

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Police and coast guard on Friday continued their search for 24 people still listed as missing at sea after their boat sank on Wednesday night.

Kupang Police chief Lt. Col. Agus Kusnadi said here on Friday that the Lapaloma went down after being hit by large waves near the Kupang coastline.

He said the small motorized sailboat was overloaded with a full cargo and 79 passengers from a nearby island.

"Based on the captain's report, the boat was carrying 79 people when it left Naikliu," Agus said.

"However, I'm not too sure about the report presented to me. It was likely carrying even more passengers."

Antara reported that most of the farmers were believed to be headed for Kupang to sell produce.