Cargo ship sinks in Java Sea

SURABAYA (JP): One passenger was found dead and 20 others were rescued Tuesday night after a ship packed with cargo sank in the Java Sea, the authorities said yesterday.

Tanjung Perak harbormasters said Bintang Perkasa capsized near Masalembo Island on its way from Surabaya in East Java to Berau in East Kalimantan.

They said information on the cause of the disaster, the number of people on board and their fate was not still incomplete. Some speculated that the number of people on board could be "a lot higher".

Port authorities in Tanjung Perak told The Jakarta Post the dead person and the 20 survivors were picked up by KM Jateng, which happened to pass the accident site.

But officials were in the dark over the whereabouts of KM Jateng.

Bintang Perkasa, belonging to the Surabaya-based PT Tanjung Redep, left Tanjung Perak port at 6:45 a.m. Tuesday carrying several tons of cargo.

Navigation authorities said they received a distress call from the ill-fated ship in which it reported very bad weather, with waves as high as three meters.

Dozens of people flocked to Tanjung Perak port yesterday, seeking information on their relatives on the ship.

A police officer claimed 10 of his relatives had booked on the ship to go to East Kalimantan to find employment.

Solihin, a port administrator, said, "The number of victims is much higher than reported but the incoming information is still sketchy."

A PT Tanjung Redep official told Antara the company would need two or three days to obtain a clear picture of the situation, including the number of people on board and their fate. (nur/pan)