Last four bodies of Musi victims found, death toll reaches 19

PALEMBANG, South Sumatra: The last four bodies of the passengers killed in a boat collision on the Musi River were recovered on Wednesday by search and rescue team members, bringing the death toll to 19 victims and not 20 as previously reported.

The recovered victims were identified as Sabnatun, Nengah Mundra, two-year-old Sulaiman and Ita Puji Kuswati. Another passenger, Rinawati, who was believed to have died in the collision, survived and was admitted to PT Pusri Hospital, said Second Insp. J. Kuswardono of the Marine and Water Police.

"All the victims were the passengers of the traditional wooden ship Halimun 02, which collided with the PL Otelo ferry belonging to state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina on the Musi River on Monday night," Kuswardono said.

South Sumatra Governor Rosihan Arsyad and Pertamina Refinery III Office General Manager M. Naibaho visited the Marine and Water Police Post, and met with the relatives of the victims.

"We have allotted some Rp 2 million from Pertamina and Rp 500,000 from the Musi Banyuasin Regency," Arsyad said.

Separately, M. Naibaho said that he had spent some Rp 100 million for, among other things, buying coffins and giving money in sympathy to the relatives. Each relative received Rp 2 million, he said.

Jumeno, a Karang Agung villager whose wife, Sabnatun and child M. Kosim were killed in the mishap said that he had received Rp 4 million from Pertamina. "But I have not received anything from the governor."

Meanwhile, M. Nur, the captain of the Halimun 02, admitted that he was not aware that the PL Otelo was coming from the opposite direction when his boat left Karang Agung.

"My ship sank in less than five minutes after the collision. The 151 passengers who were asleep panicked and some drowned."

Abu Husin, the captain of the PL Otelo, said he was not aware that the Halimun 02 was near, because there were no lights. "I could not see it (Halimun 02). I became aware of the Halimun only after it was five meters away from my vessel. The collision could not be avoided," Husin said.

Both captains are still in police custody for further questioning.(33)