Boats collide, one dead, nine missing

Boats collide, one dead, nine missing

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Ten people thought to be on their way home to celebrate Idul
Fitri with loved ones are feared dead after two ships collided in
rough seas in waters off Southeast Sulawesi on Thursday night.

The victims, nine of whom are missing believed drowned, were
among at least 30 passengers on the KM Sinar Akapa, which
collided with the KM Adidas off Wawoni island on Thursday night.

Kendiri harbor chief Abdul Rachman said the Sinar Akapa was
traveling from Kendari to Wawoni island when the collision took
place.

"The Sinar Akapa sank as a result of the collision while the
KM Adidas managed to arrive safely in Kendari," he told DPA on
Friday.

Antara identified the only confirmed deceased as Marsiani, 15,
from Wawoni. His body was taken home.

Another passenger seriously injured in the collision was taken
to a hospital in Kendari.

Rescue workers assisted by local fishermen were still
searching for the missing people.

Kendari Police are investigating the cause of the accident and
are questioning Sinar Akaba's captain, Autu, 35.

Rachman said the ship was illegally chartered and left Kendari
Port without the proper permits or lights.

The KM Adidas fishing vessel was manned by four crew members
and was not carrying passengers, he said.

"It is common here for people to illegally charter boats to go
to neighboring islands for the Idul Fitri holiday," he was quoted
by AFP as saying.

One survivor, Asri, said the Sinar Akaba left Kendari Port for
Roko-Roko harbor in Wawoni island in bad weather.

The collision took place as millions of Indonesians began
traveling home by bus, plane, ship and train to celebrate Idul
Fitri in their hometowns next Tuesday and Wednesday.