8 hurt, 2 missing after boat blast

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Eight people were seriously injured on Sunday night in a blast on a motorized sailing boat, Jabal Qubais, on the dock of a local port near Sentral market here, Antara reported on Monday.

Two people have reportedly been missing since the blast.

Among the victims identified were captain Rudin and five other crew members: La Muca, Udin, Mirdas, La Ela and Sakiri.

The injured were being treated at the Santa Ana and Eddy Sabara hospitals in Kendari.

The cause of the blast was still being investigated.

Sources said the ship was about to sail to Ereke, a small port in Muna district, carrying various staple food supplies.(edt)