Navy continues search operation

Navy continues search operation

JAKARTA (JP): The Navy is continuing the search for possible survivors from the ferry which sank off Aceh on Friday, although officials admitted that the likelihood of finding anyone alive after four days is slim.

By yesterday 52 people were found dead, 40 rescued and at least 118 were missing. First reports said that there were 210, including 16 crewmen, on board the Gurita when it sank on its way from Kreungraya in Aceh to Balohan on Weh Island. The actual number may be higher because some people were not on the passengers' list.

"It's a remote possibility that there are still survivors out there," Lt. Col. Fikri Samaf Guciano, chief of the Sabang's Naval Base, told The Jakarta Post by phone. "But we'll also be looking for bodies trapped in the ship. Some of these bodies may float up later," Fikri said.

"We just found one tonight, a male. His body was already decomposing. We took the body to Banda Aceh," he added.

Officials earlier said that some of them may have been trapped inside their cars or in buses. The ferry was carrying 30 vehicles as well as cargo when it sank.

Fikri said the Navy's divers could not reach the ship's wreckage which is lying some 384 meter underwater. The divers have equipment which can only take them down 70 meters.

Sabang Mayor Bustari was also hoping to find more survivors, saying that some may have been washed ashore on one of the many small islands scattered around the northern tip of Sumatra.

Fikri, who is coordinating the search operation, said the standard procedure in Search and Rescue operations is that the search should be held for seven days. "But if we have to, we can extend the operation."

The Navy has deployed four warships in the operation: KRI Fatahillah, KRI Rencong, KRI Yohanes and KRI Sleman.

In addition, hundreds of small fishing boats also joined in the operation since Friday, scouring the waters off Aceh and around the Weh Island.

Fikri said that a team of investigators is now being formed, on instruction from the Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto. "I expect to be included in that team," he said, adding that an announcement is expected later today.

On the possible causes of the accident, he said that he heard several explanations. A big wave was blamed by some, while others suggested the ferry had hit a rock. "The site of the accident is a meeting point of several currents. When the wave hit the ship, some of its cargo may have shifted and this is probably what caused it." (31/emb)