Two missing after ship capsizes

PALU, Central Sulawesi: A ship carrying sand capsized in the waters of Tolitoli off the coast of Central Sulawesi, leaving two members of its crew missing, local police said on Tuesday.

Central Sulawesi Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Agus Sugianto said police were searching for the two missing crew members, identified as Gunawan Mualim and Fredi.

He said the ship, owned by PT Rasma Mulia Mamboro and weighing about 3,000 deadweight tons, was likely overloaded when it capsized on Monday.

The ship was bound for Merauke in Papua but had been forced to return to Palu due to its weight, which Agus said nearly sank the ship.

As it was being towed toward the coast, the ship capsized. At the time of the accident, Gunawan and Fredi reportedly were on the deck.

Agus said the two had likely drowned when the ship capsized, causing the entire load of sand to come down on top of them.

Police have yet to question ship owner Rasma Mulia about the accident. --JP