Search suspended after one week

AMBON: After a week-long search for passengers of KM Mulya Star, which sank in the Teluk Manipa waters in Central Maluku regency on Saturday last week, the search and rescue team decided on Thursday to halt operations.

"The SAR (Search and Rescue) team decided to halt operations on Thursday after a week of searching," Capt. Denih of the Ambon Sea Security Task Force said on Friday, advising that the search operations were conducted with the help of two Navy warships.

Efforts by the team and local residents were responsible for rescuing 25 passengers and crew and the recovery of three bodies.

"We do not have a complete list of the names of the dead, the survivors or the 15 people who have been declared missing," said Denih as quoted by Antara.

The ship's owner, 60-year-old Aziju, is among the missing.

KM Mulya Star set sail at 3:15 p.m. on Sept. 1 from Pelita Jaya port in Piru, West Seram destined for Probolinggo, East Java, carrying 30 passengers, 13 crew and a cargo of 100 tons of palm oil and 20 tons of cloves. (lup)