Freighter carrying cement sinks in the Indian Ocean

A freighter carrying 1,450 tons of cement sank in the Indian Ocean off Aceh on Thursday, but all of its 11- member crew survived the ordeal, Antara reported on Friday.

The vessel, KM Andalas III, capsized after hitting a reef near Breueh island, 16 kilometers off Ulee Lhue, the port of Aceh's capital Banda Aceh at around 4.30 p.m. on Thursday. The ship had embarked on its journey to Belawan port in North Sumatra from a special terminal for ships loading cement produced by state company PT Semen Andalas Indonesia in Lhoknga, Aceh Besar regency.

Captain Darif Luthan told Antara that large waves had contributed to his vessel's capsize. He said water had inundated the ship deep in the engine room before it sank.

The site of the accident was between Brueh and Dadap islands.

All of the crew was saved by another cement carrier, KM Sinar Andalas and a fishing boat, which were also sailing nearby.

"It received our SOS message and turned around to save us, as did the fishing boat," Darif recollected.

He said the evacuation could only take place after his ship had completely sunk. The wreck lies at a depth of approximately 300 meters.

The Japanese-made KM Andalas III began operations in 1973. Weighing 1,668 tons, it is 67 meters long, with a beam of 11 meters.

Banda Aceh port's administrator is questioning the captain and crew of the sinking ship to find out the cause of the accident.

The value of the material losses resulting from the accident remains unknown. --Antara