Death toll in Lake Toba ferry accident rises to 77
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)