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)