Boat accident kills mother, daughter

PEKANBARU, Riau: A speed boat traveling between Bengkalis and Selatpanjang here capsized on Sunday evening, leaving two people dead. The two fatalities were Asnah, 44 and her daughter Rosa Aslina, three. The other 48 passengers survived the accident.

The boat was overloaded with passengers at the time of the accident.

Chief of Bengkalis Regental Police Adj. Sr. Comr. Budi Maryoto said the boat was licensed to carry a maximum of 40 passengers, but at the time of accident, it was carrying more than 50 people.

The police have apprehended the boat captain called Mar.

"Had the accident happened far from shore, more people would have died," said police officer Maryoto. Local residents rushed to save the boat passengers after they learned the boat was sinking near Bengkalis port. The swift rescue efforts saved almost all the passengers. -- Antara