Cargo ship sinks in Riau

PANGKAL PINANG, South Sumatra: A wooden ship, Lentera Laut Raya, carrying a cargo of frozen fish bound for Singapore ran aground and later sank in the waters close to Dua island near here.

All six crew members survived the accident which was believed to have been caused by sudden swells from the tide, Antara reported yesterday.

WMF Nasution, general manager of PT Pangkal Pura Mandiri which owns the ship, said the company had sustained a loss of about Rp 100 million (US$10,000) due to the accident.

According to Nasution, the ship's engine broke down before it sank, allowing it to be swept by the tides. (aan)