Victims of sea ordeal return home

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: After receiving medical treatment in Kendari, 25 victims of an ordeal at sea were dispatched on Thursday to their homes in Taliabo island, North Maluku. They were brought home on board the KRI Panana, the Indonesian naval vessel that rescued them on Tuesday after they had been adrift at sea for five days without food or water.

Earlier on Wednesday, another 30 people had already been sent to Wanci island in Southeast Sulawesi province on board a commercial vessel.

The passengers were traveling on the Saparaya to Taliabo Island, North Maluku, from Wanci Island, Southeast Sulawesi province, when the ship's engines failed. -- Antara