Indonesian ship sinks, 15 missing

Indonesian ship sinks, 15 missing

HONG KONG (Reuter): A search was launched yesterday for 15 crew members of an Indonesian ship which sank off the Philippines, a Hong Kong marine department spokesman said.

The pilot of a Hong Kong light aircraft, sent to the scene some 400 nautical miles south of Hong Kong, reported two ships had picked up 11 members of the stricken Andhika Wanatya. The 105-metre vessel, built in 1977, was outbound from Papua New Guinea to Hong Kong with a cargo of logs.

The Hong Kong government had earlier reported 11 missing and 15 rescued.

Hong Kong's Marine Rescue Co-ordinating Center logged a distress message in mid-afternoon and told the Philippines Rescue Co-ordinating Center and the Pacific Rescue Co-ordinating Center.

All 26 crew members of the 3,890 gross-ton ship are Indonesians, the marine department spokesman said.