Search efforts stopped in Surabaya

Search efforts stopped in Surabaya

SURABAYA: The authorities called off yesterday the search for
missing people in Tuesday's boat accident on Brantas River,
Antara reported yesterday.

The news agency quoted Karangpilang police chief Capt. Sudoko
as saying the search had been called off because there was
uncertainty regarding the precise number of people involved in
the accident.

"We have not received reports of missing people from family
members so we cannot be sure if there are any missing victims,"
he said.

Fourteen people drowned after a dugout overturned in the
middle of the Brantas River in the East Java capital city of
Surabaya on Tuesday. Twenty people survived the incident, with 13
of them needing hospitalization.

Prasojo, an eyewitness whose child survived the accident, said
on Tuesday the dugout, measuring six meters long and 2.5 meters
wide, was carrying 60 to 80 passengers when it overturned.

"So far the death toll remains at 14. We are now awaiting
developments after halting the search," Sudoko said.