Five die as boats sink

Five die as boats sink

JAKARTA (JP): Five people died when two boats sank in rough seas in Bone Bay, South Sulawesi, on Monday, officials said yesterday.

Natsir, an official of the Kolaka regency administration, told the Post that rescue workers managed to save most of the other passengers of the two boats. He did not give a precise number, but Antara said 117 passengers were rescued.

The boats, KM Belibis O2 and KM Bunga Coklat 01, are believed to have been on their way from Kolaka to Siwa when they sank. According to one report the Belibis responded to a distress call from the Bunga Coklat, sinking as it tried to accommodate passengers from the other boat.

Kompas reported earlier that 30 people had died and dozens other passengers of the two boats were missing. Suara Pembaruan said 40 passengers remained unaccounted for as of yesterday morning. (rms)