Boat capsizes, killing four

DILI, East Timor: Four people drowned Thursday evening when their boat capsized after hitting a rock during a heavy storm only 150 meters from Atauro island.

"All of the victims were women including a seven-month pregnant woman, Dominggas Belo. Their remains have been brought to their families," Antara quoted the boat's owner, Jeka J.Maria Alves, as saying yesterday.

A military rescue operation found the bodies five hours after the incident about one kilometer from the sight of the accident.

The boat, Aik Motain, regularly shuttled between Dili and the nearby island of Atauro, some 26 nautical miles away.

The boat was filled to capacity with 18 passengers and construction material, such as cement and steel pipes.

As it was coming at the end of its four-hour journey and preparing to dock, large waves hit the boat pushing its stern into the rocks.