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)