September 11, 2005 - 8:49PM

September 11, 2005 - 8:49PM

Eighteen people including 11 children are missing feared dead after their boat capsized in huge waves off the northern coast of the Indonesian province of Papua, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The boat carrying 19 people sank on Tuesday about five kilometers from the town of Sarmi, said Djoko Sungkowo of Papua's Search and Rescue agency.

Speaking from his office in Papua's capital Jayapura, Sungkowo said only one man survived the accident by swimming to Sarmi.

There were 11 children and some women aboard the boat, he said, adding that it may have been overloaded.

A search was still under way involving ships and helicopters, he added.

Boat accidents are common in Indonesia, a vast archipelago where safety rules are poorly enforced and rescue vessels are often unavailable.