Death toll in Lake Toba ferry accident rises to 77

MEDAN, North Sumatra (JP): The death toll from Sunday's sinking of the Peldatari ferry in Lake Toba, North Tapanuli, rose to 77 yesterday, a local official said.

On Monday afternoon, police put the death toll at 60, and said 18 people had been rescued.

Antara gave another figure for casualties. It said that up to 75 bodies had been recovered by yesterday afternoon.

The news agency quoted a search and rescue worker, Denny, as saying that the number of passengers on the boat was still unknown. "However, sources said the number of passengers could be up to 150 people," he said. "Most of the bodies recovered have been identified and should be returned to their families soon."

At least 20 search and rescue experts are involved in the rescue operation.

The operation is being led by North Tapanuli Regent T.M.H. Sinaga, local military commander Col. Hindarto and police chief Col. Tri Utoyo.

Local emergency center official Manuntun Sagala said there could have been at least 200 passengers aboard the boat when it sank.

"We really do not know the exact number of passengers on board, but our conservative estimate is about 200 people," he said.

Lt. Col. Amrin Karim of the North Sumatra police said the boat was overloaded since its capacity was only 60 passengers.

The MV Peldatari I was sailing from Parapat to Tomok, a town on Samosir island in the middle of Lake Toba. The boat was carrying Tomok residents who were returning after a cultural festival in Parapat.

Police are questioning the boat's captain, owner and technician, Amrin said.

He said many of the identified victims were young. The oldest was 32-year-old Ferri Hutasoit and the youngest were 13-year-old Arnanto Sitanggang, four-year-old Eko Malau and his three-year- old brother, Ipan.

The North Sumatra regional district secretary, A. Wahab Dalimunthe, said the provincial administration had provided Rp 15 million (US$6,105) in relief funds. The district military command has donated Rp 15 million and the army administrative unit has donated a ton of rice.

In another sinking Saturday, the ferry MV Sentosa 10 went down after leaving Batam island's Telaga Punggur harbor for Bintan's Tanjung Pinang. Twelve people reportedly died. (21/01)