Boat capsizes: Four missing

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: Four people were missing after a tourist boat was overturned near Rinca Island on its way from Bima in West Nusa Tenggara to Komodo Island on Sunday.

As of Monday evening the search for the missing passengers continued, local daily Pos Kupang reported on Tuesday.

The boat, Komodo Plus, was carrying 11 people, including two Americans, when strong winds overturned it.

Police and rescue workers were hampered by the absence of speed boats.

Three of the passengers were found on Rinca Island's shore by crew from the Cengkih Afo ferry, while the two Americans were found on nearby Tala Island. It was unclear where two other survivors were located.

Spokesman of the tourist company PT Grand Komodo Tours, Lorens, told the daily that the seven passengers were receiving medical treatment for physical and mental exhaustion. (yac)