Ferry runs aground on way to Alor

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: The ferry Balibo, operated by a state-owned company, ran aground on its way from Alor regency to Kupang, the capital of East Nusa Tenggara at dawn Monday, but no fatalities were reported in the incident.

The ferry, carrying some 220 passengers, became lodged on a coral reef off of Kera island, 17 kilometers from Bolok port in Kupang.

The passengers were all rescued four hours after it hit the reef, said Unru, the head of the Kupang office of state-owned transportation company PT River Transportation and Crossing (PT ASDP). The ferry can accommodate 400 passengers and 18 cars.

The passengers were taken to Kupang aboard another ship. -- JP