Boat people stranded in Tegal

TEGAL, Central Java: Thirty-one Chinese boatpeople bound for Australia became stranded in the port of Tegal after their boat, the Feng Seng, developed engine trouble.

The boat entered the port on Tuesday carrying 19 men, seven women and five children. The ship's captain Chao Xue, 28, told an interpreter they had left the port of Guanxi, China, on April 24.

Officials would not let them disembark but have promised to help with repairs and to replenish their supply of drinking water, food and gasoline.

"We're helping them out so they can continue their journey to Australia," said Tegal Mayor H.M. Zakir. (wah/mds)