Freighter sinks in Lombok strait

Freighter sinks in Lombok strait

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: A freighter sank in the Lombok Strait recently, swept under by a violent storm.

All 14 people on board the KM Bunga Cendana were reported safe after fleeing to safety on emergency rafts, Yudustar, head of the Lembar port in West Lombok, told Antara.

The freighter was on its way from Surabaya, East Java, to Kalalhi in East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi when the calamity occurred, he said. He did not say when it occurred.

Yudustar said he did not know what cargo the freighter was carrying.

The freighter's crew were picked up by a passing vessel KM Tri Sindra Nusantara on Monday and they were dropped at Waingapu port on Tuesday, he added.

Yudustar warned shippers to be cautious when sailing the Lombok strait in January, when the sea is particularly rough. (emb)