At least 13 dead in Indonesia ferry incident
At least 13 people have been killed and eight are still missing after a ferry caught fire and sank in central Indonesia, an official says.
The boat was believed to be carrying nearly 150 passengers off the coast of Sulawesi province on Friday when the blaze started.
High waves hampered initial rescue efforts but 126 people had been saved by Saturday afternoon.
A search and rescue operation is underway for remaining passengers.
"Based on reports from the passengers' families there are still some people missing," transport ministry spokesman Wisnu Wardana told AFP.
Among the deaths were two toddlers. Most of the rescued passengers were found wearing life jackets.
The cause of the accident was unclear.
The Indonesian archipelago of more than 17,000 islands is heavily reliant on boat transport, but safety standards are often ignored and fatal maritime accidents are common.
In June, more than 160 people died when a ferry sank in Lake Toba, a popular tourist attraction in western Indonesia.
The boat was believed to be operating illegally without a passenger manifest and with a limited number of life jackets on board.
More than 300 people drowned in 2009 when a ferry sank between Sulawesi and Borneo islands.
(Source: AFP)
Iran dismisses UK, Australia’s ‘baseless’ claims, urges end to interventions in West Asia
Islamophobic graffiti found in Sydney suburb sparks outrage
Nobel Peace Prize winner Nihon Hidankyo calls for nuclear-free world
Iran’s economy grew 2.7% y/y in Sep quarter: CBI
VIDEO | Freelancers in Gaza strive to stay online amid genocide
Mikati demands Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon
Yemeni army strikes Israeli military sites with drones
‘Clock ticking’: UNRWA slams unjustifiable killing of children in Gaza
BP to be sued in Britain for supplying oil to Israel
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
Israeli strikes on north Gaza hospital ‘extremely dangerous, terrifying’: Director
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
