Court to probe 'Bimas' case

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The Maritime Court will investigate the sinking of the Bimas II vessel, which claimed at least 87 lives and left 329 others missing in one of the worst sea accident in the country last month.

Head of the Ministry of Transportation's Irian Jaya office, H.F. Nelwan, said on Tuesday a fact-finding team would be sent soon by the court to Merauke waters, where the ferry ran aground, to start the investigation.

Nelwan said his office had provided the ship's documents, which included a preliminary report presuming that the vessel was overloaded.

At full capacity, the ferry managed only to carry 125 passengers. "But due to the limited number of ferrys plying Merauke to remote areas, many people forced their way onto the ship," Nelwan said.

Bimas II carried 456 passengers when it sank. (amd)