Ship hit by storm, 15 missing

Muhammad Azis Tunny The Jakarta Post Ambon, Maluku

Rescuers were on Friday attempting to find 15 people, missing and possibly trapped under a ship that rolled late on Tuesday night in waters off Taliabu island in North Maluku province.

The missing included three crew members and 10 passengers after the ill-fated LCT Cantika rolled over in high winds on Tuesday night. Nine other crew members and 10 passengers were rescued.

The accident took place at 11 p.m. local time when the ship was sailing from Jorjoja on Taliabu island to Toli-Toli in the Central Sulawesi province.

Ambon port administrator Capt. Sutedjo told The Jakarta Post on Friday that bad weather was believed to have caused the accident.

The LCT Cantika was equipped with buoyancy equipment, he said. It had been found floating upside down in waters off Taliabu, he said.

Sutedjo said the 15 missing people could be trapped inside the ship.

To search for the missing victims, the ship owner was attempting to bring the upturned boat to its upright position, he added.

The rescue efforts also involved a search and rescue team from Bitung town and divers from Ambon.

All the known survivors had been evacuated aboard the KM Santosa and LCT Cantika Permai, which came to the aid of the distressed ship.

"Both ships had been radioed by the Ambon port authority. They tried to assist the victims," Sutedjo said.

Also on board the ship were six tractors, heavy machinery and 100 tons of diesel fuel, all belonging to a Taliabu logging company.