Bodies of 6 of 13 missing passengers found

ENAROTALI, Papua: The bodies of six of 13 people who went missing after the engine of the boat they were traveling in on Wisel Lake blew up last Friday, were transferred to Aikai port here on Monday.

Of the six bodies who were found on Sunday, five have been identified as Yanti Giay, 7, Elizabeth Pigome, 45, Yeremias Giay, 45, Paskalina Dogomo, 30, Marcela Bobi, 35. One victim could not be identified.

They were residents of the districts of East Paniai, East Tigi, West Tigi, Ikra, Kammu and Mapia.

The families of the victims have yet to claim the bodies. Local health officials could not be contacted for comment.

The boat, which was carrying 64 passengers on their way from Obano port to East Tigi, West Tigi and Kammu, exploded after a cigarette but fell near the motorboat's oil tank.