Japanese tourist drowns

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: A Japanese tourist and his local porter were drowned in the Baliem River on Wednesday, an official said.

Searches for Shinichiro Minamide, 20, and porter Eligius Asso, 21, continued yesterday to no avail, the Antara news agency said.

Chief of the Irian Jaya tourist office A. Bassalem said the incident happened in the Sogokmo village on Wednesday when a suspension bridge they were crossing collapsed into the flooding river.

Minamide arrived in Wamena on Sept. 18 with his brother Koji, who survived the accident because he fell on the river's bank and was rescued by passersby. The three were on their way to Kurima district. (pan)