Baby killed in ship collision

AMBON: An infant died when a luxury cruise ship belonging to PT Pelni, the state-owned shipping company, was hit by a passenger ship on its way from Sorong to Ternate late last week.

An official of the Ternate port, M.S. Karie told Antara that KM Putra Indah IV, carrying 65 passengers and 10 crew members, was on its way from Ternate to Saketa in North Maluku regency when it hit Pelni's KM Ciremai.

The 11-month-old infant, Mariyati, was killed in the collision, while two other people were seriously injured and five were reported missing.

Karie ruled out the possibility of sabotage causing the accident. "Based on preliminary investigations there were no indications that the accident was deliberately planned."

A local Search and Rescue team is still looking for the five missing passengers. (bas)