Passenger ship sinks off Pangkep

Passenger ship sinks off Pangkep

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: The KM Santini III vessel which was
heading for Surabaya from Makassar sank in rough seas off
Tanakeke in Pangkep, some 32 kilometers into its journey in the
early hours of Saturday, an officer said.

All 120 passengers and crew on board were rescued by KRI Teluk
Ende naval ship before being moved to vessel KM Selat Mas while
their ship sank to the bottom of the sea, Makassar-based Navy
Operational chief Col. Budi Rahardjo said later in the day.

"The incident took place around 1 a.m. local time when the
vessel got caught in a sea storm," Budi said.

"We have called on ship owners with vessels of less than 30
tons in weight not to sail in bad weather," he added. All
passengers and crew were sent home late on Saturday. (30/edt)