Compensation for ferry disaster paid

Compensation for ferry disaster paid

BANDA ACEH: The state-owned insurance company PT Jasa Raharja will pay Rp 324 million in compensation to the relatives of the 54 people who died when the ferry Gurita sank in the waters off Weh Island earlier this month.

Antara on Tuesday quoted Nana Suyatna from the insurance company's Aceh office as saying the compensation will be given to the relatives in a ceremony within the next few days.

The insurance company has registered 122 victims of the mishap, including the 54 fatalities and 40 who survived. An unspecified number, but which is likely to go beyond 100, of other passengers were still missing.

The company will pay Rp 6 million (US$ 2,625) for every fatality, Rp 2.5 million for each of the injured, and Rp 8.5 million (US$ 3,719) for each four-wheel drive vehicle that drowned along with the ferry. (01/swe)