Two die, 17 injured in a boat attack

AMBON, Maluku: At least two people died and seventeen others were injured when a passenger vessel KM Anda II was intercepted and attacked with a spray of bullets by gunmen in the waters off Dalam Bay on Tuesday.

"The vessel which was carrying some 70 passengers, was heading for Halong port when it was intercepted by three speed boats.

"The speed boats surrounded our vessel and the gunmen fired at us. A few minutes later, I saw two more speed boats approaching and the gunmen on them launched a similar attack," David Joseph, a ship crew, said.

He said the passengers of the vessel had to endure a 20-minute assault before a patrolling Navy ship KAL Samalona launched a counter attack to disperse the assailants.

One military officer on board the KAL Samalona was reportedly injured in the fight at sea. (49/lup)