Four missing in boat accident

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Four people are missing after a speedboat carrying nine government and Unesco officials capsized in rough seas on Thursday, an official said yesterday.

The boat was on its way from an island west of Flores to Komodo Island park. It sank between Komodo Island and Siaba Island, probably after being hit by a storm, chief of the local transportation office J.M. Sitepu told Antara.

The five people who survived the accident are currently in good health in Labuan Bajo, Western Flores, Sitepu said.

The official identified those missing as Professor Sudomo, an expert staff member of the transportation ministry, I Putu Ngurah, the Komodo police precinct chief, and two researchers from the forestry ministry, Hartati and Suyati.

Sitepu said he has yet to identify the boat but unconfirmed reports said it belonged to the Komodo park management.

It is believed the boat sank after being hit by high waves because it was in "good" condition before setting sail. (pan)