Seven drowned in ship mishap

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: At least seven people drowned with several others missing when the Lintas Samudera cargo ship sank off Tanjung Teipo early Monday morning.

Rescue teams found 42 survivors but the true number of those on board is unknown as the ship did not keep a proper log.

"We still don't know exactly how many were on board. From those who survived we have gathered that six are missing," said Mawardi Yusuf, head of the province's communications office.

However others estimate that as many as 70 may have been on the ship.

The ship's captain, Udin, also did not know how many passengers he was carrying.

The ship, which serves the Tanjung Taipa-Kendari route, was not designed as a passenger ship. However due to slow business it permitted passengers on board.

"What we regret most of all is that the ship, without proper navigational or communications equipment, still carried that many passengers," Mawardi remarked.

"When it got into trouble there was no one they could turn to for help".

Antara reported that the ship sank after being hit by strong waves.