Confusion reigns over accident death toll
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The public in Ambon is growing angry over confusion surrounding the number of victims believed to have been trapped in the wreckage of a ferry that sank off Ambon, capital of Maluku, on Sunday.
According to the information released by local authorities, the number of people likely to have been trapped aboard the ill- fated ferry was 15, while local Muslim organizations reported at least 63 people were still missing.
Administrator of Slamet Riyadi seaport in Ambon Capt. Sutedjo said in a media conference in Ambon on Thursday that the number of people believed to be trapped aboard the sinking ferry was not more than 15.
The ferry, Masohi Star, capsized on its voyage from Ambon to Masohi, capital of Central Maluku, at 7:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, due to overloading. According to the manifest released by the seaport administrator, the number of passengers was only 104 but eyewitnesses said the ferry was overloaded, with more than 200 passengers aboard.
Five people were found dead while 145 survivors were rushed to three hospitals for treatment of light injuries, while at least 63 others are feared to have been trapped aboard the ferry.
A rescue team is still searching for the missing passengers who are now believed to be dead.
The team, led by Col. Buyung Lalana, chief of the naval base in Ambon, has asked the National Rescue Agency (Basarnas) to send equipment capable of raising the ferry wreckage in an attempt to recover the missing victims' bodies.
Raising of the wreckage was scheduled for Friday morning, on the assumption that the necessary equipment would arrive in Ambon on Thursday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the city legislative council in Ambon is proposing to ask for a report from the relevant authorities, especially the local sea transportation office and the Slamet Riyadi seaport authorities, at their regular meeting next week.
Chairman of the city legislature Lucky Wattimury said the two government offices were obliged to deliver an account of the incident as well as provide accurate data on the ferry passengers.
The transportation law stipulates jail sentences and fines for officials found guilty of ignoring any violations of it.
"We have set a schedule. The hearing will be carried out next week with its primary objective being to ask the relevant authorities for their account of the incident," said Lucky.
He added the legislature was preparing a draft bylaw to tighten patrols of all public transportation to prevent it from being targeted by conflicting factions in the restive province.
The province has been ridden by a sectarian conflict that has claimed more than 2,000 lives and displaced more than 750,000 people.
Another ferry, the Kalifornia, exploded early this year, killing more than 50 people and injuring more than 120 others. No group has claimed responsibility for the fatal incident.