Rescue goes on after capsize

Rescue goes on after capsize

JAKARTA (JP): Rescue workers are still searching for hundreds
of passengers who were on board the KM Bimas Raya II ferry which
sank in the waters of Habe off Merauke regency, Irian Jaya on
Monday evening, Antara reported on Wednesday.

An official of PT Bimas Raya, the owner of the ship, said in
Merauke on Tuesday evening that only 26 of some 300 passengers
traveling on the ferry were found.

The KM Bimas Raya II reportedly sank on its way back to
Merauke seaport from its route along the rivers in the eastern
part of Irian Jaya.

A few minutes before it sank, the ship's captain transmitted
an emergency message to the PT Bimas Raya receiving station in
Merauke, saying that the ship was in critical condition.

Radio transmission was cut off a few minutes later, and
officials believe that was when the ferry sunk.

There is no further information on the cause of incident.

The company sent KM Bimas Raya I, along with four other ships
from several shipping companies, to search for survivors.

Meanwhile, the families of ferry passengers flocked the PT
Bimas Raya office on Wednesday to get information on their
relatives.(imn)