Cargo ship sinks in Java Sea

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)