Nineteen die in mishap

MEDAN, North Sumatra: At least 19 people died when the Peldatari wooden boat, carrying about 200 passengers, sank Sunday in Lake Toba, Antara reported yesterday.

The news agency quoted sources at the North Tapanuli police station as saying that bodies of 19 victims had been found floating.

The boat was sailing from Prapat to Tromok in Simanindo district. It sank after its bottom broke at about 8.30 p.m.

The passengers had been traveling home after the Toba Lake Festival in Prapat.

North Sumatra Police Chief Lt. Col. H. Amrin Karim said he suspected the boat sank because it was overloaded. The old, unsafe boat was only meant to carry 50 passengers.

Survivors said they had heard loud cracking noises before the boat sank.

Simanindo police station received reports on the accident at 1 a.m. and promptly sent a rescue team to pick up survivors. Police suspect that other passengers are missing. (swe)