More bodies found in search for drowned ferry victims

JAKARTA (JP): Rescue workers found more bodies on Friday in their search for victims from the KLM Arta Rimba which sank with 325 people on board last Sunday near the West Kalimantan coast.

Officials, however, gave different counts of the bodies found.

As of 5:30 p.m. Friday, nine more bodies were found by rescuers on the Navy warship KRI Rencong, according to Capt. Zainuddin, the section chief in charge of sea traffic and transport at the port office in Pontianak, West Kalimantan.

"The nine bodies were found in the waters off Penikek island, about 60 miles from Pontianak," Zainuddin told The Jakarta Post by phone.

The bodies have started to decompose, he said.

"It's difficult to identify them. The remains have already been transferred to the Dr. Sudarso Hospital in Kampung Bangka Belitung, Pontianak for autopsy," he added.

No survivors were found on Friday.

Meanwhile, Antara reported that 19 bodies were found floating in the waters off Pengiki island Friday afternoon by a monitoring plane.

Spokesman for the Navy's Western Fleet Lt. Col. Harry Setianegara said the bodies were taken on board KRI Rencong which was already near to the accident site.

The remains were put in body bags to be quickly transported to Pontianak, he added.

Efforts to find survivors will continue with the help of other Navy ships namely KRI Siliman, KRI Pulau Rangsang and KRI Pulau Raibu.

On Thursday, 20 survivors, including the boat's captain, and one dead body were found by fishermen near the site.

"We will continue the search. As of now, after dropping the bodies here in Pontianak, the KRI Rencong will sail on with 10 more rescuers," Zainuddin added.

When asked about the possibility of finding survivors, he said: "Let's hope... we will give our best effort to finding the victims. But seeing the condition of the bodies, it's going to be difficult to find survivors."

The sinking, 11 hours after setting sail, occurred near Tambelan, part of a cluster of islands off the West Kalimantan coast, and was due to irreparable leakage in the hull. The ship was supposed to carry only a captain and seven crew members. (edt)