Following more than 60 deaths in a hospital where supply of the life-saving oxygen gas was nearly limited, Indonesia has ordered oxygen manufacturers to prioritise medical demands, the government announced on Sunday.&nbsp;

In Indonesia, the daily influx of new cases has prompted hospitals to set up makeshift intensive care units and designate new quarantine centres.

In Jakarta, at least three additional cemeteries have been established for people who contracted COVID-19.

Residents in need of oxygen line up as early as 6 am in one Jakarta area to fill tanks for their loved ones.&nbsp;

The world's fourth most populous nation is battling one of Asia's worst coronavirus outbreaks, with Saturday's 27,913 infections becoming the newest of many peaks during the last two weeks.

In a statement, the Sardjito hospital on the island of Java said 63 patients died after it nearly ran out of oxygen over the period from Saturday until early on Sunday, when fresh supplies arrived.

A hospital spokesman could not confirm if all the dead had suffered from COVID-19, however.

In response, the government was asking the gas industry to increase production of medical oxygen, said health ministry official Siti Nadia Tarmizi.

"We also hope people don't stock up on oxygen," she added, referring to stockpiles that could have the effect of denying the gas to many.

The hospital said that for days before the incident, it had sought more supplies of oxygen, but virus patients streaming in since Friday had pushed it beyond its capacity, consuming supply sooner than expected.

The crisis began to lessen on Sunday as additional supplies began to arrive. Separately, the ministry in charge of Indonesia's COVID-19 response has directed the gas industry to prioritise production in order to meet an estimated daily demand of 800 tonnes of oxygen for medical purposes.

According to the ministry, the industry has an idle capacity of 225,000 tonnes per year that can still be utilised.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Following more than 60 deaths in a hospital where supply of the life-saving oxygen gas was nearly limited, Indonesia has ordered oxygen manufacturers to prioritise medical demands, the government announced on Sunday.

Following more than 60 deaths in a hospital where supply of the life-saving oxygen gas was nearly limited, Indonesia has ordered oxygen manufacturers to prioritise medical demands, the government announced on Sunday. In Indonesia, the daily influx of new cases has prompted hospitals to set up makeshift intensive care units and designate new quarantine centres. In Jakarta, at least three additional cemeteries have been established for people who contracted COVID-19. Residents in need of oxygen line up as early as 6 am in one Jakarta area to fill tanks for their loved ones. The world's fourth most populous nation is battling one of Asia's worst coronavirus outbreaks, with Saturday's 27,913 infections becoming the newest of many peaks during the last two weeks. In a statement, the Sardjito hospital on the island of Java said 63 patients died after it nearly ran out of oxygen over the period from Saturday until early on Sunday, when fresh supplies arrived. A hospital spokesman could not confirm if all the dead had suffered from COVID-19, however. In response, the government was asking the gas industry to increase production of medical oxygen, said health ministry official Siti Nadia Tarmizi. "We also hope people don't stock up on oxygen," she added, referring to stockpiles that could have the effect of denying the gas to many. The hospital said that for days before the incident, it had sought more supplies of oxygen, but virus patients streaming in since Friday had pushed it beyond its capacity, consuming supply sooner than expected. The crisis began to lessen on Sunday as additional supplies began to arrive. Separately, the ministry in charge of Indonesia's COVID-19 response has directed the gas industry to prioritise production in order to meet an estimated daily demand of 800 tonnes of oxygen for medical purposes. According to the ministry, the industry has an idle capacity of 225,000 tonnes per year that can still be utilised. (With inputs from agencies)

Indonesia: Oxygen crisis worsens COVID-19 surge, dozens die amid scarcity

Indonesia imposed a partial lockdown Saturday in the capital Jakarta, across the main island of Java and on Bali as the Southeast Asian nation grapples with an unprecedented wave of coronavirus infections.

Mosques, restaurants and shopping malls were shuttered in virus hotspots around the Muslim-majority country, which recorded more than 25,000 new cases and 539 deaths on Friday, both new daily records.

Indonesia's daily caseload has more than quadrupled in less than a month. But the country's official tally to date, which stands at 2.2 million cases and 59,534 deaths, is widely believed to be severe undercount due to low testing.

The crisis has pushed Indonesia's creaky healthcare system to the brink of collapse with makeshift tents set up outside jammed medical facilities.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-troop-withdrawal-from-afghanistan-to-be-completed-by-end-august-white-house-395422">Also Read |&nbsp;US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan to be completed by end August: White House</a>

Hospital corridors are overflowing with the sick lying on gurneys, and infected patients have been turned away from hospitals unable to cope with the influx.

The Delta variant of the virus, first identified in India and now present in at least 85 countries, has been driving the recent wave and accounted for more than 80 percent of new cases in some areas, the health ministry has said.

The strain is the most contagious of any Covid-19 variant so far identified.

"(The surge) is primarily because of the Delta variant," health minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said Friday.

"It is in every country -- nobody is safe."

Experts previously warned that millions travelling nationwide at the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in May would trigger an explosion of cases.

The new measures announced by Indonesian President Joko Widodo this week are set to last until July 20 in hope of bringing daily infections below 10,000.

Widodo, better known as Jokowi, had long resisted the strict lockdowns seen in other virus-wracked nations, saying they could tank Southeast Asia's biggest economy where millions live hand-to-mouth.

But all non-essential employees are now being ordered to work from home, while classes will only be held online.

The curbs will also apply to holiday island Bali, hit by a recent jump in cases that has delayed plans to reopen to international tourists.

Health experts warned that the tougher measures may not be enough.&nbsp;

The restrictions still allow for often-jammed public transport to continue operating at a reduced capacity, while domestic sea, air and bus travel will be available for people who have received at least one vaccine dose.

"How do you do physical distancing on public transportation?" said Indonesian epidemiologist Windhu Purnomo.

"The government is still prioritising the economy by letting people move around."

Indonesia imposed a partial lockdown Saturday in the capital Jakarta, across the main island of Java and on Bali as the Southeast Asian nation grapples with an unprecedented wave of coronavirus infections.

Indonesia imposed a partial lockdown Saturday in the capital Jakarta, across the main island of Java and on Bali as the Southeast Asian nation grapples with an unprecedented wave of coronavirus infections. Mosques, restaurants and shopping malls were shuttered in virus hotspots around the Muslim-majority country, which recorded more than 25,000 new cases and 539 deaths on Friday, both new daily records. Indonesia's daily caseload has more than quadrupled in less than a month. But the country's official tally to date, which stands at 2.2 million cases and 59,534 deaths, is widely believed to be severe undercount due to low testing. The crisis has pushed Indonesia's creaky healthcare system to the brink of collapse with makeshift tents set up outside jammed medical facilities. Also Read | US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan to be completed by end August: White House Hospital corridors are overflowing with the sick lying on gurneys, and infected patients have been turned away from hospitals unable to cope with the influx. The Delta variant of the virus, first identified in India and now present in at least 85 countries, has been driving the recent wave and accounted for more than 80 percent of new cases in some areas, the health ministry has said. The strain is the most contagious of any Covid-19 variant so far identified. "(The surge) is primarily because of the Delta variant," health minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said Friday. "It is in every country -- nobody is safe." Experts previously warned that millions travelling nationwide at the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in May would trigger an explosion of cases. The new measures announced by Indonesian President Joko Widodo this week are set to last until July 20 in hope of bringing daily infections below 10,000. Widodo, better known as Jokowi, had long resisted the strict lockdowns seen in other virus-wracked nations, saying they could tank Southeast Asia's biggest economy where millions live hand-to-mouth. But all non-essential employees are now being ordered to work from home, while classes will only be held online. The curbs will also apply to holiday island Bali, hit by a recent jump in cases that has delayed plans to reopen to international tourists. Health experts warned that the tougher measures may not be enough. The restrictions still allow for often-jammed public transport to continue operating at a reduced capacity, while domestic sea, air and bus travel will be available for people who have received at least one vaccine dose. "How do you do physical distancing on public transportation?" said Indonesian epidemiologist Windhu Purnomo. "The government is still prioritising the economy by letting people move around."

Indonesia rolls out tougher curbs as virus cases skyrocket

The COVID-19 outbreak continues to make alarming inroads in Indonesia as the country witnesses record daily case load in the recent days and according to red cross Indonesia's COVID-19 surge is on the edge of the catastrophe as most as more infections of a delta variant continue to fuel the outbreak choking the healthcare system there.

COVID-19 Update: Coronavirus cases continue to surge in Indonesia

According to the Red Cross, Indonesia is facing a pandemic "catastrophe" with hospitals choked as it battles the Delta variant.

Several hospitals are running at overcapacity as the country reported more than 20,000 COVID-19 cases. On Sunday the country had reported over 20,000 cases with 2.1 million people infected with the virus since last year and 57,138 fatalities.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-indonesia-suffers-as-chinese-vaccines-fail-394565/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Reports said capital Jakarta has been hit the hardest with the virus including regions in west and central Java with the vaccination drive currently underway proceeding at a slow pace.

Indonesia has reportedly vaccinated just five per cent of the population in a country 181.5 million people.

Indonesians have been vying for oxygen cylinders amid a surge in cases in Jakarta with prices skyrocketing, reports say.

The country has been using China's Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccine including AstraZeneca&nbsp;but it has been slow in its vaccine campaign as the economy shrank for the fourth consecutive quarter due to the pandemic.

Indonesia has become one of the worst-hit nations in Asia with the virus taking a toll on the economy as it contracted 0.96 per cent. Indonesia had entered into a recession last year for the first time since the 1998 Asian financial crisis.

Officials had said earlier this month that the new wave is likely to peak in early July with citizens holidaying during Eid al-Fitr.

Health minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin had warned that the Delta variant was now "dominant" in Jakarta and other parts of Java. In Kudus, central Java, 90 per cent of hospitals were full, according to the country's COVID-19 task force.&nbsp;

The infection rates have jumped this month from 10,000 new COVID-19 cases to over 20,000 cases with low rates of testing compounding the issue.

According to the Red Cross, Indonesia is facing a pandemic "catastrophe" with hospitals choked as it battles the Delta variant. Several hospitals are running at overcapacity as the country reported more than 20,000 COVID-19 cases.

According to the Red Cross, Indonesia is facing a pandemic "catastrophe" with hospitals choked as it battles the Delta variant. Several hospitals are running at overcapacity as the country reported more than 20,000 COVID-19 cases. On Sunday the country had reported over 20,000 cases with 2.1 million people infected with the virus since last year and 57,138 fatalities. Watch: Reports said capital Jakarta has been hit the hardest with the virus including regions in west and central Java with the vaccination drive currently underway proceeding at a slow pace. Indonesia has reportedly vaccinated just five per cent of the population in a country 181.5 million people. Indonesians have been vying for oxygen cylinders amid a surge in cases in Jakarta with prices skyrocketing, reports say. The country has been using China's Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccine including AstraZeneca but it has been slow in its vaccine campaign as the economy shrank for the fourth consecutive quarter due to the pandemic. Indonesia has become one of the worst-hit nations in Asia with the virus taking a toll on the economy as it contracted 0.96 per cent. Indonesia had entered into a recession last year for the first time since the 1998 Asian financial crisis. Officials had said earlier this month that the new wave is likely to peak in early July with citizens holidaying during Eid al-Fitr. Health minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin had warned that the Delta variant was now "dominant" in Jakarta and other parts of Java. In Kudus, central Java, 90 per cent of hospitals were full, according to the country's COVID-19 task force. The infection rates have jumped this month from 10,000 new COVID-19 cases to over 20,000 cases with low rates of testing compounding the issue.

Indonesia grapples with coronavirus surge amid record hospitalisations

20 doctors have died in #Indonesia despite being fully vaccinated with Sinovac. Around 90% of the country's doctor took the Chinese shot, they're now worried with the rising infections among healthcare workers. Have Chinese vaccines failed?

Gravitas: Indonesia suffers as Chinese Vaccines fail

Indonesian police fired tear gas and water cannon at supporters of a hardline Muslim cleric jailed Thursday for spreading false information about <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> after he held rallies that drew thousands.

Rizieq&nbsp;Shihab, 55, was handed a four-year jail term for claiming in a viral video that he was healthy, despite knowing that test results showed he may have been infected with the virus.

Thousands rallied outside the courthouse in Jakarta in support of the cleric, whose influential Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) was banned earlier this year.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-bans-hardline-islamic-defenders-front-group-353416">Indonesia bans hardline Islamic Defender's Front group</a>

Police said they had arrested more than 150 demonstrators ahead of the sentencing.

Thursday's ruling comes after the same court in May sentenced&nbsp;Shihab&nbsp;to eight months' jail for holding sermons and other gatherings that drew tens of thousands of followers, breaking virus restrictions in one of Asia's worst-hit nations.

Shihab&nbsp;had urged supporters to attend sermons, a celebration of the Prophet Mohammed's birthday, and his daughter's wedding. All drew huge crowds in the Muslim-majority country, with many supporters not wearing masks or social distancing.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-jails-firebrand-cleric-for-breaking-virus-rules-387993">Indonesia jails firebrand cleric for breaking virus rules</a>

The cleric was later treated in hospital over suspicions he was infected with COVID-19.

But that was kept secret by a hospital director who was also sentenced Thursday to a year in jail over the affair.

The charismatic Islamic leader returned to Indonesia last year after fleeing to Saudi Arabia in 2017 as police named him a suspect in a pornography case. Those charges have since been dropped.

He was arrested on the virus-linked charges in December after Jakarta police shot dead six FPI followers in a highway gun battle that authorities described as an act of self-defence -- a claim disputed by the group.

Shihab's FPI was notorious in Indonesia for targeting nightclubs and other establishments it deemed immoral, and has also attacked minority Muslim sects it considered deviant.

The cleric was among the main figures behind mass rallies in 2016 against the then governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, over allegations that he insulted the Koran.

Basuki, who is Christian, was sentenced to two years in prison for blasphemy.

Indonesian police fired tear gas and water cannon at supporters of a hardline Muslim cleric jailed Thursday for spreading false information about COVID-19 after he held rallies that drew thousands.

Indonesian police fired tear gas and water cannon at supporters of a hardline Muslim cleric jailed Thursday for spreading false information about COVID-19 after he held rallies that drew thousands. Rizieq Shihab, 55, was handed a four-year jail term for claiming in a viral video that he was healthy, despite knowing that test results showed he may have been infected with the virus. Thousands rallied outside the courthouse in Jakarta in support of the cleric, whose influential Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) was banned earlier this year. Also read | Indonesia bans hardline Islamic Defender's Front group Police said they had arrested more than 150 demonstrators ahead of the sentencing. Thursday's ruling comes after the same court in May sentenced Shihab to eight months' jail for holding sermons and other gatherings that drew tens of thousands of followers, breaking virus restrictions in one of Asia's worst-hit nations. Shihab had urged supporters to attend sermons, a celebration of the Prophet Mohammed's birthday, and his daughter's wedding. All drew huge crowds in the Muslim-majority country, with many supporters not wearing masks or social distancing. Also read | Indonesia jails firebrand cleric for breaking virus rules The cleric was later treated in hospital over suspicions he was infected with COVID-19. But that was kept secret by a hospital director who was also sentenced Thursday to a year in jail over the affair. The charismatic Islamic leader returned to Indonesia last year after fleeing to Saudi Arabia in 2017 as police named him a suspect in a pornography case. Those charges have since been dropped. He was arrested on the virus-linked charges in December after Jakarta police shot dead six FPI followers in a highway gun battle that authorities described as an act of self-defence -- a claim disputed by the group. Shihab's FPI was notorious in Indonesia for targeting nightclubs and other establishments it deemed immoral, and has also attacked minority Muslim sects it considered deviant. The cleric was among the main figures behind mass rallies in 2016 against the then governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, over allegations that he insulted the Koran. Basuki, who is Christian, was sentenced to two years in prison for blasphemy.

Clashes as Indonesia jails hardline cleric over virus lies

Indonesia's geophysics agency warned on Wednesday of possible aftershocks and tsunami potential after a 6.1 magnitude earthquake hit near the Moluccas islands, also known as the Maluku islands. 
 
The quake struck at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles). 
 
"Please move away from beach and move to higher ground," BMKG said in a text message, noting that the warning applied especially to Seram Island. 
 
A tsunami wave could potentially be triggered by underwater landslides, it added. It earlier said there was no tsunami potential. 
 
A local disaster mitigation agency official said there were no report of injured people or casualties so far, but some buildings and public facilities sustained damage. 
 
Unverified videos that circulated online showed some local residents moving to higher ground after the quake. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Indonesia's geophysics agency warned on Wednesday of possible aftershocks and tsunami potential after a 6.1 magnitude earthquake hit near the Moluccas islands, also known as the Maluku islands.

Indonesia's geophysics agency warned on Wednesday of possible aftershocks and tsunami potential after a 6.1 magnitude earthquake hit near the Moluccas islands, also known as the Maluku islands. The quake struck at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles). "Please move away from beach and move to higher ground," BMKG said in a text message, noting that the warning applied especially to Seram Island. A tsunami wave could potentially be triggered by underwater landslides, it added. It earlier said there was no tsunami potential. A local disaster mitigation agency official said there were no report of injured people or casualties so far, but some buildings and public facilities sustained damage. Unverified videos that circulated online showed some local residents moving to higher ground after the quake. (With inputs from agencies)

Magnitude 6.1 quake hits near Indonesia's Moluccas islands

The world's oldest cave painting is decaying at a rapid pace due to climate change, archaeologists said, as experts race against time to find ways to preserve the priceless prehistorical artwork in Indonesia. Found in 2017, the painting in a limestone cave in Indonesia's island of Sulawesi appears to be the earliest known pictorial record of storytelling and thought to date back 45,500 years.

Archaeologists fear climate change slowly erasing world's oldest cave painting in Indonesia

Indonesia's hijab-wearing, headbanging VOB count some of rock music's biggest stars among their fans, but the all-female heavy metal band faced a tougher battle in winning over their parents.

The diminutive trio behind Voice of Baceprot ("Noisy Voice" in English) have spent years honing their skills at music festivals around the world's biggest Muslim majority nation after forming VOB as young teens in 2014.&nbsp;

It is a long way from the conservative town in West Java province where they grew up, shrugging off a hostile reaction from neighbours and family members to pursue their passion.&nbsp;

"Because of metal music, I have the courage to speak my mind and the confidence to be different," 19-year-old bassist Widi Rahmawati told AFP during a recent jam session.

"When I'm on stage, I can express myself without worrying about the norms that people expect from me".

Obeying those norms would have compelled the three women to marry right after high school.

"My parents told me that reading was useless, let alone playing music," said the band's bespectacled singer and lead guitarist Firda Marsya Kurnia, 20.

"They said that once I got married, my future husband wouldn't tell me to read books, but to cook or clean the house instead."&nbsp;

The trio's stubborn determination eventually won over their sceptical parents and they moved to the capital Jakarta last year to hone their talents.

"Music is a place for us to gain happiness and share that with other people," Kurnia said.

"We're just grateful if the audience gets something, like a message, from our music."

- 'Tough ladies' -

The move to the big city comes after their popular 2018 single "School Revolution", which took aim at Indonesia's strict education system.

Much of their songwriting these days now focuses on the role of women and environmental issues.

VOB's critiques of conservative social values resonate across borders and could win them a bigger international audience, said music expert Yuka Dian Narendra.

"The band are a reflection of mainstream Muslim girls in Indonesia," he added.

VOB first attracted international attention when online videos of them pumping out song covers caught the eyes of Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic, Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello.

"We never expected" that kind of attention, said Kurnia. "It felt like a dream."

The band has played several online concerts since the pandemic shut down most cross-border travel, including the WOW UK Festival in England and the Global Just Recovery Gathering.

They hope their hard-driving tunes will land them a spot at top-tier US music festival Coachella one day, and the chance to collaborate with idols System of a Down.

In the meantime, VOB say they'll keep drawing inspiration from the women in their hometown, where many do back-breaking farm work.

"The women there are treated like second-class citizens," said drummer Euis Siti Aisah.

"But there are lot of tough ladies in our village."

Indonesia's hijab-wearing, headbanging VOB count some of rock music's biggest stars among their fans, but the all-female heavy metal band faced a tougher battle in winning over their parents.

Indonesia's hijab-wearing, headbanging VOB count some of rock music's biggest stars among their fans, but the all-female heavy metal band faced a tougher battle in winning over their parents. The diminutive trio behind Voice of Baceprot ("Noisy Voice" in English) have spent years honing their skills at music festivals around the world's biggest Muslim majority nation after forming VOB as young teens in 2014. It is a long way from the conservative town in West Java province where they grew up, shrugging off a hostile reaction from neighbours and family members to pursue their passion. "Because of metal music, I have the courage to speak my mind and the confidence to be different," 19-year-old bassist Widi Rahmawati told AFP during a recent jam session. "When I'm on stage, I can express myself without worrying about the norms that people expect from me". Obeying those norms would have compelled the three women to marry right after high school. "My parents told me that reading was useless, let alone playing music," said the band's bespectacled singer and lead guitarist Firda Marsya Kurnia, 20. "They said that once I got married, my future husband wouldn't tell me to read books, but to cook or clean the house instead." The trio's stubborn determination eventually won over their sceptical parents and they moved to the capital Jakarta last year to hone their talents. "Music is a place for us to gain happiness and share that with other people," Kurnia said. "We're just grateful if the audience gets something, like a message, from our music." - 'Tough ladies' - The move to the big city comes after their popular 2018 single "School Revolution", which took aim at Indonesia's strict education system. Much of their songwriting these days now focuses on the role of women and environmental issues. VOB's critiques of conservative social values resonate across borders and could win them a bigger international audience, said music expert Yuka Dian Narendra. "The band are a reflection of mainstream Muslim girls in Indonesia," he added. VOB first attracted international attention when online videos of them pumping out song covers caught the eyes of Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic, Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello. "We never expected" that kind of attention, said Kurnia. "It felt like a dream." The band has played several online concerts since the pandemic shut down most cross-border travel, including the WOW UK Festival in England and the Global Just Recovery Gathering. They hope their hard-driving tunes will land them a spot at top-tier US music festival Coachella one day, and the chance to collaborate with idols System of a Down. In the meantime, VOB say they'll keep drawing inspiration from the women in their hometown, where many do back-breaking farm work. "The women there are treated like second-class citizens," said drummer Euis Siti Aisah. "But there are lot of tough ladies in our village."

Indonesia's hijab headbangers trade village life for metal heaven

The Hajj pilgrimage in Indonesia has been cancelled for the second year in a row due to fears over the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the religious affairs ministry.

Saudi Arabia, where the pilgrimage takes place, has not opened access to the Hajj, according to Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.&nbsp; 
 
Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation, and it also provides the largest number of pilgrims for the Hajj. According to this division, Indonesia ranks up highest in terms of Muslims arriving for Hajj in Mecca followed by Pakistan and India in second and third positions.

The Saudi Kingdom had organised an exceptional Hajj season last year with a limited number of pilgrims as part of precautionary measures against the spread of Covid. 
 
Saudi Arabia has so far reported 426,384 confirmed Covid cases, with 7,072 deaths and 409,740 recoveries. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The Hajj pilgrimage in Indonesia has been cancelled for the second year in a row due to fears over the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the religious affairs ministry.

The Hajj pilgrimage in Indonesia has been cancelled for the second year in a row due to fears over the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the religious affairs ministry. Saudi Arabia, where the pilgrimage takes place, has not opened access to the Hajj, according to Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation, and it also provides the largest number of pilgrims for the Hajj. According to this division, Indonesia ranks up highest in terms of Muslims arriving for Hajj in Mecca followed by Pakistan and India in second and third positions. The Saudi Kingdom had organised an exceptional Hajj season last year with a limited number of pilgrims as part of precautionary measures against the spread of Covid. Saudi Arabia has so far reported 426,384 confirmed Covid cases, with 7,072 deaths and 409,740 recoveries. (With inputs from agencies)

Indonesia cancels Hajj pilgrimage again due to coronavirus concerns

An Iranian-flagged tanker seized by Indonesia in January over the suspected illegal transfer of oil has been released, an Indonesian official and Iranian state media said on Saturday.&nbsp;

Wisnu Pramandita, a spokesman for the Indonesian coastguard, said the Iranian-flagged tanker, the MT Horse, was released on Friday after a court decision earlier in the week.&nbsp;

The court ruled the vessel could leave Indonesia, while the captain would be subject to a two-year probation without any fine, the spokesman said.&nbsp;

Iran’s state broadcaster said the vessel had resumed its mission before returning home.&nbsp;

Jakarta has said it seized the MT Horse over the suspected illegal transfer of oil in Indonesian waters, while Iran's foreign ministry said the seizure was over 'a technical issue and it happens in shipping field'.&nbsp;

"The MT Horse, belonging to the National Iranian Tanker Company that had been detained in Indonesian waters since January 24, was released on Friday,” said state broadcaster Seda va Sima. “This vessel has now resumed its mission before returning to the country’s waters."&nbsp;

SHANA, the Iranian oil ministry news agency, quoted the tanker company as saying, "The MT crew, with their sacrifice and firm determination to pursue their mission, safeguarded Iran’s national interest in maintaining the export of its oil and petroleum products.”&nbsp;

Tehran, under harsh US sanctions that mainly target its oil exports, has been accused of concealing the destination of its oil sales by disabling tracking systems on its tankers.&nbsp;

Last year, it used the MT Horse to deliver 2.1 million barrels of condensate to fellow US-sanctioned Venezuela.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

An Iranian-flagged tanker seized by Indonesia in January over the suspected illegal transfer of oil has been released, an Indonesian official and Iranian state media said on Saturday.

An Iranian-flagged tanker seized by Indonesia in January over the suspected illegal transfer of oil has been released, an Indonesian official and Iranian state media said on Saturday. Wisnu Pramandita, a spokesman for the Indonesian coastguard, said the Iranian-flagged tanker, the MT Horse, was released on Friday after a court decision earlier in the week. The court ruled the vessel could leave Indonesia, while the captain would be subject to a two-year probation without any fine, the spokesman said. Iran’s state broadcaster said the vessel had resumed its mission before returning home. Jakarta has said it seized the MT Horse over the suspected illegal transfer of oil in Indonesian waters, while Iran's foreign ministry said the seizure was over 'a technical issue and it happens in shipping field'. "The MT Horse, belonging to the National Iranian Tanker Company that had been detained in Indonesian waters since January 24, was released on Friday,” said state broadcaster Seda va Sima. “This vessel has now resumed its mission before returning to the country’s waters." SHANA, the Iranian oil ministry news agency, quoted the tanker company as saying, "The MT crew, with their sacrifice and firm determination to pursue their mission, safeguarded Iran’s national interest in maintaining the export of its oil and petroleum products.” Tehran, under harsh US sanctions that mainly target its oil exports, has been accused of concealing the destination of its oil sales by disabling tracking systems on its tankers. Last year, it used the MT Horse to deliver 2.1 million barrels of condensate to fellow US-sanctioned Venezuela. (With inputs from agencies)

Iranian tanker seized by Indonesia is released after four months 

A firebrand Indonesian cleric was jailed Thursday for holding sermons and other gatherings that drew tens of thousands of followers, breaking <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">virus</a> restrictions in the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation.

The eight-month prison term handed to Rizieq Shihab comes several months after Indonesia outlawed his influential hardline Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) in the aftermath of a deadly shootout between police and his followers.

On Thursday, East Jakarta District Court jailed Shihab for urging supporters to attend sermons, a celebration of the Prophet Mohammed's birthday, and his daughter's wedding. All drew huge crowds in a country hard hit by the pandemic.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-quarters-of-new-covid-infections-in-uk-due-to-b16172-variant-of-concern-health-minister-387920" hreflang="en">Three quarters of new Covid infections in UK due to B.1.617.2 'variant of concern': Health minister</a>

"The defendant has been found guilty of violating health protocols," presiding judge Suparman Nyompa told the hearing.

Shihab was also fined 20 million rupiah ($1,400). But his jail sentence would be reduced to three months to account for time already served, the court said.

Five other senior FPI members each got eight-month jail terms for organising the mass gatherings.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/government-issues-guidelines-on-vaccinating-elderly-differently-abled-near-home-387884" hreflang="en">Government issues guidelines on vaccinating elderly, differently-abled near home</a>

About 2,300 security personnel were deployed around the courthouse to keep Shihab supporters at a distance, with nearly two dozen briefly detained, local media reported.

Shihab — who has served jail time in the past, including for an attack by FPI members on an interfaith gathering in 2008 — denied the latest charges and said he may appeal.

His December arrest came as Jakarta police shot dead six FPI followers in a highway gun battle that authorities described as an act of self-defence — a claim disputed by the group.

The charismatic Islamic leader fled to Saudi Arabia shortly after police named him as a suspect in a pornography case in 2017, and he remained in self-imposed exile for three years. Those charges have been dropped.

When he returned to Indonesia in November, Shihab was welcomed by tens of thousands of followers at Jakarta airport, in violation of a Covid-19 ban on gatherings.

Shihab's FPI was notorious for targeting nightclubs and other establishments it deemed "immoral", and has also attacked minority Muslim sects it considers "deviant".

The cleric was among the main figures behind mass rallies in 2016 against the then governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, over allegations that he insulted the Koran.

Basuki, who is Christian, was sentenced to two years in prison for blasphemy.

A firebrand Indonesian cleric was jailed Thursday for holding sermons and other gatherings that drew tens of thousands of followers, breaking virus restrictions in the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation.

A firebrand Indonesian cleric was jailed Thursday for holding sermons and other gatherings that drew tens of thousands of followers, breaking virus restrictions in the world's biggest Muslim-majority nation. The eight-month prison term handed to Rizieq Shihab comes several months after Indonesia outlawed his influential hardline Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) in the aftermath of a deadly shootout between police and his followers. On Thursday, East Jakarta District Court jailed Shihab for urging supporters to attend sermons, a celebration of the Prophet Mohammed's birthday, and his daughter's wedding. All drew huge crowds in a country hard hit by the pandemic. Also read | Three quarters of new Covid infections in UK due to B.1.617.2 'variant of concern': Health minister "The defendant has been found guilty of violating health protocols," presiding judge Suparman Nyompa told the hearing. Shihab was also fined 20 million rupiah ($1,400). But his jail sentence would be reduced to three months to account for time already served, the court said. Five other senior FPI members each got eight-month jail terms for organising the mass gatherings. Also read | Government issues guidelines on vaccinating elderly, differently-abled near home About 2,300 security personnel were deployed around the courthouse to keep Shihab supporters at a distance, with nearly two dozen briefly detained, local media reported. Shihab — who has served jail time in the past, including for an attack by FPI members on an interfaith gathering in 2008 — denied the latest charges and said he may appeal. His December arrest came as Jakarta police shot dead six FPI followers in a highway gun battle that authorities described as an act of self-defence — a claim disputed by the group. The charismatic Islamic leader fled to Saudi Arabia shortly after police named him as a suspect in a pornography case in 2017, and he remained in self-imposed exile for three years. Those charges have been dropped. When he returned to Indonesia in November, Shihab was welcomed by tens of thousands of followers at Jakarta airport, in violation of a Covid-19 ban on gatherings. Shihab's FPI was notorious for targeting nightclubs and other establishments it deemed "immoral", and has also attacked minority Muslim sects it considers "deviant". The cleric was among the main figures behind mass rallies in 2016 against the then governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, over allegations that he insulted the Koran. Basuki, who is Christian, was sentenced to two years in prison for blasphemy.

Indonesia jails firebrand cleric for breaking virus rules

Indonesia&nbsp;reported a&nbsp;new&nbsp;cluster&nbsp;of 42 coronavirus&nbsp;infections&nbsp;among medical workers who treated 13 Filipino&nbsp;ship&nbsp;crew who were sick with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a>, and is tracing dozens of others, a government official said on Sunday.

About 140 other medical workers came into close contact with the crew of the Panamanian-flagged&nbsp;cargo&nbsp;ship&nbsp;Hilma Bulker, who tested positive for the&nbsp;new&nbsp;coronavirus&nbsp;after&nbsp;docking in Central Java on April 25, the province's governor, Ganjar Pranowo, told Reuters. The vessel had come from India.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-citizens-sue-government-over-air-pollution-386368">Indonesia: Citizens sue government over air pollution</a>

Genome sequencing showed the crew had the highly infectious B.1617.2 variant first identified in India, Ganjar said, adding that one of them had later died in hospital.

"For now we're actively tracing their nurses. Hundreds had had direct contact, close contact, and 42 had tested positive," Ganjar said by phone.

With more than 1.7 million confirmed cases and 49,000 deaths,&nbsp;Indonesia&nbsp;is the worst-hit country in Southeast Asia.

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Its&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;crisis is not as bad as that seen in India, but some health experts are concerned mass gatherings at this month's Eid al-Fitr celebrations and virus variants could trigger a surge of&nbsp;new&nbsp;cases in the world's fourth-most populous nation.

Last month&nbsp;Indonesia&nbsp;stopped issuing visas for foreigners who had recently been in India.

Ganjar said all other crew members of the Hilma Bulker had self-quarantined on the&nbsp;ship, and 49&nbsp;Indonesian officials who oversaw the unloading of the&nbsp;ship&nbsp;had all tested negative for the virus.

The vessel had delivered refined sugar from India, Ganjar said. It left&nbsp;Indonesia&nbsp;this month headed to the Philippine capital Manila, according to Refinitiv Eikon's vessel tracker.

Indonesia reported a new cluster of 42 coronavirus infections among medical workers who treated 13 Filipino ship crew who were sick with COVID-19, and is tracing dozens of others, a government official said on Sunday.

Indonesia reported a new cluster of 42 coronavirus infections among medical workers who treated 13 Filipino ship crew who were sick with COVID-19, and is tracing dozens of others, a government official said on Sunday. About 140 other medical workers came into close contact with the crew of the Panamanian-flagged cargo ship Hilma Bulker, who tested positive for the new coronavirus after docking in Central Java on April 25, the province's governor, Ganjar Pranowo, told Reuters. The vessel had come from India. Also read | Indonesia: Citizens sue government over air pollution Genome sequencing showed the crew had the highly infectious B.1617.2 variant first identified in India, Ganjar said, adding that one of them had later died in hospital. "For now we're actively tracing their nurses. Hundreds had had direct contact, close contact, and 42 had tested positive," Ganjar said by phone. With more than 1.7 million confirmed cases and 49,000 deaths, Indonesia is the worst-hit country in Southeast Asia. Also read | Indonesia detects two cases of Covid variant first found in India Its COVID-19 crisis is not as bad as that seen in India, but some health experts are concerned mass gatherings at this month's Eid al-Fitr celebrations and virus variants could trigger a surge of new cases in the world's fourth-most populous nation. Last month Indonesia stopped issuing visas for foreigners who had recently been in India. Ganjar said all other crew members of the Hilma Bulker had self-quarantined on the ship, and 49 Indonesian officials who oversaw the unloading of the ship had all tested negative for the virus. The vessel had delivered refined sugar from India, Ganjar said. It left Indonesia this month headed to the Philippine capital Manila, according to Refinitiv Eikon's vessel tracker.

Indonesia finds new COVID-19 cluster after cargo ship infections

Fixing the blame for air pollution is not easy because multiple generations have contributed to it. So have neighbouring countries.

But in Indonesia, the people are clear about who is responsible: Their government.

A court in Jakarta is hearing a lawsuit against the Indonesian president and his ministers. It accuses them of ignoring air pollution and its health impacts.

Jakarta is an urban jungle. The suffocated capital is almost always below the layer of haze and smoke. There are people everywhere. Run-down apartments at every corner. And traffic. Lots of traffic!

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-jakarta-residents-sue-government-over-pollution-386379">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-jakarta-residents-sue-government-over-pollution-386379/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

For residents here, masks are a pre-pandemic thing. It's a shield against asthma, heart disease and stroke. Children are born into this toxic air. For them, diseases and allergies are never far away.

"I have a daughter who is 10 years old and she is one of the vulnerable children. She has allergies since she was born, and she's developed health issues since she started kindergarten. Everyday, her health condition is threatened by the increasing dirty air quality in Jakarta," says 42-year-old plaintiff and Jakarta resident Khalisah Khalid.

There are hundreds of parents like Khalisah in the city. Two years back, they decided enough was enough.

If the government wasn't hearing their pleas, it was time for a legal nudge. And that's exactly what they did: 32 citizens got together to sue the government.

The lawsuit spares no one, from the president to city council leaders. These citizens are suing their leaders for failing to give them clean air to breathe.

And it's not about striking a deal for compensations. Instead, the lawsuit focusses on fixing accountability.

"Even though we've suffered due to the negligence of the state to protect the rights of the people to live in a healthy and clean environment, we are not demanding compensation through the court. We are not fighting for the hospital costs we'd spent when my child was ill, but we want the government to enact regulations to ensure the people of this country, our children and generations to come, can be well protected from air pollution," says Khalisah Khalid.

Jakarta has been untouched by electric cars and renewable energy. It is very much a city from the 20th century.

There are coal plants for electricity. And diesel for cars.

The court verdict is expected soon. The outcome is anyone's guess. Mainly because such a lawsuit is unprecedented in Indonesia.

But globally, suing the government is common practice. In 2019, the South African government was sued for air pollution. In UK, Downing Street has been sued thrice. In India, a 9-year-old filed a lawsuit at the national green tribunal in 2017.

Most of these cases ended with a public rebuke. Nothing more.

And that's the problem with headline lawsuits. They fix the blame. But without punishment.

Fixing the blame for air pollution is not easy because multiple generations have contributed to it. So have neighbouring countries. But in Indonesia, the people are clear about who is responsible: Their government.

Fixing the blame for air pollution is not easy because multiple generations have contributed to it. So have neighbouring countries. But in Indonesia, the people are clear about who is responsible: Their government. A court in Jakarta is hearing a lawsuit against the Indonesian president and his ministers. It accuses them of ignoring air pollution and its health impacts. Jakarta is an urban jungle. The suffocated capital is almost always below the layer of haze and smoke. There are people everywhere. Run-down apartments at every corner. And traffic. Lots of traffic! Watch | For residents here, masks are a pre-pandemic thing. It's a shield against asthma, heart disease and stroke. Children are born into this toxic air. For them, diseases and allergies are never far away. "I have a daughter who is 10 years old and she is one of the vulnerable children. She has allergies since she was born, and she's developed health issues since she started kindergarten. Everyday, her health condition is threatened by the increasing dirty air quality in Jakarta," says 42-year-old plaintiff and Jakarta resident Khalisah Khalid. There are hundreds of parents like Khalisah in the city. Two years back, they decided enough was enough. If the government wasn't hearing their pleas, it was time for a legal nudge. And that's exactly what they did: 32 citizens got together to sue the government. The lawsuit spares no one, from the president to city council leaders. These citizens are suing their leaders for failing to give them clean air to breathe. And it's not about striking a deal for compensations. Instead, the lawsuit focusses on fixing accountability. "Even though we've suffered due to the negligence of the state to protect the rights of the people to live in a healthy and clean environment, we are not demanding compensation through the court. We are not fighting for the hospital costs we'd spent when my child was ill, but we want the government to enact regulations to ensure the people of this country, our children and generations to come, can be well protected from air pollution," says Khalisah Khalid. Jakarta has been untouched by electric cars and renewable energy. It is very much a city from the 20th century. There are coal plants for electricity. And diesel for cars. The court verdict is expected soon. The outcome is anyone's guess. Mainly because such a lawsuit is unprecedented in Indonesia. But globally, suing the government is common practice. In 2019, the South African government was sued for air pollution. In UK, Downing Street has been sued thrice. In India, a 9-year-old filed a lawsuit at the national green tribunal in 2017. Most of these cases ended with a public rebuke. Nothing more. And that's the problem with headline lawsuits. They fix the blame. But without punishment.

Indonesia: Citizens sue government over air pollution

In pictures: Indonesia backs Gaza as Israel pounds back

Seven Indonesians drowned after an overloaded&nbsp;boat&nbsp;capsized because of tourists attempting a&nbsp;selfie&nbsp;in a reservoir on Java island, police said Sunday.

The accident happened when all 20 passengers suddenly moved to the one side of the vessel to take a group photo on Saturday in the Boyolali regency, said Central Java police chief Ahmad Lutfi.

"The cause of the accident was overcapacity," Lutfi told reporters.

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"The 20 people took a&nbsp;selfie&nbsp;on the right side then the&nbsp;boat&nbsp;lost balance and flipped."

Police added that 11 people were rescued but seven were found dead. Rescuers were searching for two people still missing.

Authorities said they will look into whether there was negligence by those managing the&nbsp;boat&nbsp;rides at the reservoir.

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Lutfi said that the&nbsp;boat&nbsp;was helmed by a 13-year-old.

Boat&nbsp;accidents are common in&nbsp;Indonesia, a Southeast Asian archipelago of around 17,000 islands, due to lax safety standards.

In April, rescuers were rushed to find 17 fishermen after two boats collided in West Java. Three were found dead and 13 were still missing when the search ended.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/amazon-employees-say-company-had-access-to-warehouse-ballots-in-alabama-what-happens-now-385382">Amazon employees say company had access to warehouse ballots in Alabama. What happens now?</a>

And in January last year, 10 people went missing after a&nbsp;boat&nbsp;carrying 20 migrant workers to neighbouring Malaysia capsized off the coast of Sumatra island.

Seven Indonesians drowned after an overloaded boat capsized because of tourists attempting a selfie in a reservoir on Java island, police said Sunday. The accident happened when all 20 passengers suddenly moved to the one side of the vessel to take a group photo on Saturday in the Boyolali regency, said Central Java police chief Ahmad Lutfi.

Seven Indonesians drowned after an overloaded boat capsized because of tourists attempting a selfie in a reservoir on Java island, police said Sunday. The accident happened when all 20 passengers suddenly moved to the one side of the vessel to take a group photo on Saturday in the Boyolali regency, said Central Java police chief Ahmad Lutfi. "The cause of the accident was overcapacity," Lutfi told reporters. Also read | 'Say Cheese' time for Perseverance as Mars rover sends stunning selfie with helicopter "The 20 people took a selfie on the right side then the boat lost balance and flipped." Police added that 11 people were rescued but seven were found dead. Rescuers were searching for two people still missing. Authorities said they will look into whether there was negligence by those managing the boat rides at the reservoir. Also read | Did NASA accidentally create life on Mars? Here's how it may have happened Lutfi said that the boat was helmed by a 13-year-old. Boat accidents are common in Indonesia, a Southeast Asian archipelago of around 17,000 islands, due to lax safety standards. In April, rescuers were rushed to find 17 fishermen after two boats collided in West Java. Three were found dead and 13 were still missing when the search ended. Also read | Amazon employees say company had access to warehouse ballots in Alabama. What happens now? And in January last year, 10 people went missing after a boat carrying 20 migrant workers to neighbouring Malaysia capsized off the coast of Sumatra island.

At least seven dead in Indonesia boat selfie accident

The US Aviation regulator has ordered Boeing to inspect older generation 737 jets. The decisions have been taken in the backdrop of the Indonesia that killed 62 people.

All Boeing planes to be examined after FAA orders

A&nbsp;6.6-magnitude&nbsp;earthquake struck&nbsp;off&nbsp;the west coast of&nbsp;Indonesia's&nbsp;Sumatra&nbsp;Friday, the United States Geological Survey said, triggering panic on the nearest island but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The shallow&nbsp;quake&nbsp;hit at 12:30 (0630 GMT) near the island of Nias, about 250 kilometres (160 miles) south of the city of Sinabang.

Nias Search and Rescue Agency's spokesperson Agus Wibisono said so far there had been no reports of damage or casualties.

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"I had contacted the search and rescue team in South Nias and West Nias. They're safe, there were no casualties and damage," Wibisono told AFP.

Wibisono said the tremors were quite strong. As a result, people panicked, especially those living around the coast fearing a tsunami.

"There was an earthquake which made me dizzy, but so far buildings in my area do not appear to be damaged," Sosial Zigoto, a tourist guide in South Nias, told AFP by phone.

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"When it happened, we all rushed out of the house and felt dizzy," he added.

The tremor was felt quite strongly in Padang, the capital of West&nbsp;Sumatra, and was followed by a milder aftershock but no damage or casualties were reported.

Indonesia&nbsp;experiences frequent quakes and volcanic eruptions due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an arc of intense seismic activity where tectonic plates collide that stretches from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.

In 2004, a devastating 9.1&nbsp;magnitude&nbsp;quake&nbsp;struck&nbsp;off&nbsp;the coast of&nbsp;Sumatra&nbsp;and triggered a tsunami that killed 220,000 throughout the region, including about 170,000 in&nbsp;Indonesia.

In 2018, a powerful&nbsp;quake&nbsp;shook the island of Lombok and several more tremors followed over the next couple of weeks, killing more than 550 people on the holiday island and neighbouring Sumbawa.

Later that year, a 7.5-magnitude&nbsp;quake&nbsp;and a subsequent tsunami in Palu on Sulawesi island left more than 4,300 people dead or missing.

A 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the west coast of Indonesia's Sumatra Friday, the United States Geological Survey said, triggering panic on the nearest island but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

A 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the west coast of Indonesia's Sumatra Friday, the United States Geological Survey said, triggering panic on the nearest island but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The shallow quake hit at 12:30 (0630 GMT) near the island of Nias, about 250 kilometres (160 miles) south of the city of Sinabang. Nias Search and Rescue Agency's spokesperson Agus Wibisono said so far there had been no reports of damage or casualties. Also read | Indonesian Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Fitr with masks and prayers "I had contacted the search and rescue team in South Nias and West Nias. They're safe, there were no casualties and damage," Wibisono told AFP. Wibisono said the tremors were quite strong. As a result, people panicked, especially those living around the coast fearing a tsunami. "There was an earthquake which made me dizzy, but so far buildings in my area do not appear to be damaged," Sosial Zigoto, a tourist guide in South Nias, told AFP by phone. Also read | Indonesia: Reused COVID-19 nasal swabs scam busted at airport "When it happened, we all rushed out of the house and felt dizzy," he added. The tremor was felt quite strongly in Padang, the capital of West Sumatra, and was followed by a milder aftershock but no damage or casualties were reported. Indonesia experiences frequent quakes and volcanic eruptions due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an arc of intense seismic activity where tectonic plates collide that stretches from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin. In 2004, a devastating 9.1 magnitude quake struck off the coast of Sumatra and triggered a tsunami that killed 220,000 throughout the region, including about 170,000 in Indonesia. In 2018, a powerful quake shook the island of Lombok and several more tremors followed over the next couple of weeks, killing more than 550 people on the holiday island and neighbouring Sumbawa. Later that year, a 7.5-magnitude quake and a subsequent tsunami in Palu on Sulawesi island left more than 4,300 people dead or missing.

6.6 magnitude quake hits off Indonesia's Sumatra: USGS

Indonesian Muslims arrived at mosques with face masks to perform Eid Al-Fitr prayers at dawn on Wednesday (May 13) despite concerns that the coronavirus pandemic has yet to subside.

Indonesian Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Fitr with masks and prayers

Chinese navy ships have arrived off Bali to help haul up a submarine that sank last month killing 53 crew, the Indonesian Navy said Tuesday as it geared up for a deep-sea salvage operation. 
 
The help arrived after other foreign ships from Australia, Singapore and Malaysia left the archipelago, having assisted Indonesian authorities in finding the stricken vessel. 
 
The KRI Nanggala 402 -- one of five submarines in Indonesia's fleet -- disappeared last month while it was scheduled to take part in live torpedo training exercises. 
 
An underwater rescue vehicle supplied by neighbouring Singapore gave visual confirmation that the German-built sub was lying on the sea floor more than 800 metres (2,600 feet) deep, broken in three parts, confirming there was no hope of finding survivors. 
 
Two Chinese salvage ships were on standby in waters off Bali, while a third was expected to arrive later Tuesday, the Indonesian Navy said, adding that Chinese Navy officials in Bali were helping to examine data collected on the submarine. 
 
All three salvage ships can dive up to 4,500 metres deep. 
 
Indonesia's Navy said Beijing's ambassador to the country had offered the help to Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto. 
 
"The offer was welcomed by the Indonesian government," it said in a statement Tuesday. 
 
A vessel from Indonesia's upstream&nbsp;oil and gas regulator task force SKK Migas, used for drilling operations, will also join the salvage operations. It has a crane with a capacity of 1,200 metric tons. 
 
Last week the Navy said high-powered magnets and air balloons were among the possible options to lift the submarine. An undersea robot will also be used in the operation, it said. 
 
The military has yet to offer an official explanation for the sinking of the decades-old submarine, which was delivered to the Southeast Asian nation in 1981.

Chinese navy ships have arrived off Bali to help haul up a submarine that sank last month killing 53 crew, the Indonesian Navy said Tuesday as it geared up for a deep-sea salvage operation.

Chinese navy ships have arrived off Bali to help haul up a submarine that sank last month killing 53 crew, the Indonesian Navy said Tuesday as it geared up for a deep-sea salvage operation. The help arrived after other foreign ships from Australia, Singapore and Malaysia left the archipelago, having assisted Indonesian authorities in finding the stricken vessel. The KRI Nanggala 402 -- one of five submarines in Indonesia's fleet -- disappeared last month while it was scheduled to take part in live torpedo training exercises. An underwater rescue vehicle supplied by neighbouring Singapore gave visual confirmation that the German-built sub was lying on the sea floor more than 800 metres (2,600 feet) deep, broken in three parts, confirming there was no hope of finding survivors. Two Chinese salvage ships were on standby in waters off Bali, while a third was expected to arrive later Tuesday, the Indonesian Navy said, adding that Chinese Navy officials in Bali were helping to examine data collected on the submarine. All three salvage ships can dive up to 4,500 metres deep. Indonesia's Navy said Beijing's ambassador to the country had offered the help to Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto. "The offer was welcomed by the Indonesian government," it said in a statement Tuesday. A vessel from Indonesia's upstream oil and gas regulator task force SKK Migas, used for drilling operations, will also join the salvage operations. It has a crane with a capacity of 1,200 metric tons. Last week the Navy said high-powered magnets and air balloons were among the possible options to lift the submarine. An undersea robot will also be used in the operation, it said. The military has yet to offer an official explanation for the sinking of the decades-old submarine, which was delivered to the Southeast Asian nation in 1981.

Chinese Navy to help Indonesia salvage sunken submarine

Indonesia on Monday recorded the first case of the variant of COVID-19 which was first spotted in India. The country’s health ministry urged people to avoid travel during as the holy month of Ramzan nears its end.

Last month, Indonesia stopped issuing visas for foreigners who had been in India in the previous two weeks. The variant from India is known as B.1.617. Two cases of the mutant were found in Jakarta. The health minister, Budi Gunadi Sadikin added that they’ve also found cases of the variant first found in South Africa in Bali.

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"We need to contain these cases, while there are still only a few of them," Budi Gunadi Sadikin said during a virtual conference.

Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim-majority country and the authorities have banned the ceremonial visits marked among relatives on the Eid al-Fitr festival.&nbsp; "Do not return to your hometown. Do not go on holiday in your hometown. Be patient," Doni Monardo, the head of Indonesia's COVID-19 task force added during the conference.

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Even then, many people could be seen leaving their homes to escape the deadlines set by the government.

Currently, scientists are trying to ascertain the scale of the spread of variant from India and whether it is responsible for the devastating surge in cases. Now, the variant has been spotted in at least 17 countries including the United Kingdom, Iran, and Switzerland. Owing to this, many countries have stopped travel to and from India.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/france-reports-first-cases-of-coronavirus-variant-first-detected-in-india-381537" hreflang="en">France reports first cases of coronavirus variant first detected in India</a>

So far, Indonesia has reported more than 1.67 million cases of COVID-19. The country has also reported 45,700 deaths. But the cases have continued to decline since January. The positivity rate in the country is averaging 12 per cent every month. The World Health Organization considers positivity rates above 5 per cent dangerous.

(With inputs from agencies)

Indonesia on Monday recorded the first case of the variant of COVID-19 which was first spotted in India. The country’s health ministry urged people to avoid travel during as the holy month of Ramzan nears its end.

Indonesia on Monday recorded the first case of the variant of COVID-19 which was first spotted in India. The country’s health ministry urged people to avoid travel during as the holy month of Ramzan nears its end. Last month, Indonesia stopped issuing visas for foreigners who had been in India in the previous two weeks. The variant from India is known as B.1.617. Two cases of the mutant were found in Jakarta. The health minister, Budi Gunadi Sadikin added that they’ve also found cases of the variant first found in South Africa in Bali. "We need to contain these cases, while there are still only a few of them," Budi Gunadi Sadikin said during a virtual conference. Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim-majority country and the authorities have banned the ceremonial visits marked among relatives on the Eid al-Fitr festival. "Do not return to your hometown. Do not go on holiday in your hometown. Be patient," Doni Monardo, the head of Indonesia's COVID-19 task force added during the conference. Also read: Uganda detects first case of Covid variant first found in India Even then, many people could be seen leaving their homes to escape the deadlines set by the government. Currently, scientists are trying to ascertain the scale of the spread of variant from India and whether it is responsible for the devastating surge in cases. Now, the variant has been spotted in at least 17 countries including the United Kingdom, Iran, and Switzerland. Owing to this, many countries have stopped travel to and from India. Also read: France reports first cases of coronavirus variant first detected in India So far, Indonesia has reported more than 1.67 million cases of COVID-19. The country has also reported 45,700 deaths. But the cases have continued to decline since January. The positivity rate in the country is averaging 12 per cent every month. The World Health Organization considers positivity rates above 5 per cent dangerous. (With inputs from agencies)

Indonesia detects two cases of Covid variant first found in India

Two children are among&nbsp;three&nbsp;people confirmed killed by a&nbsp;landslide&nbsp;at a Chinese-backed power plant on&nbsp;Indonesia's Sumatra island, authorities said Friday, with fears that the toll would rise.

Heavy rains pounded the area in North Sumatra on Thursday evening, triggering the deadly torrent.

"This morning we found&nbsp;three&nbsp;dead victims, one adult and two children," said Toto Mulyono, head of the search-and-rescue agency in provincial capital Medan city.

"We're still searching for nine&nbsp;more&nbsp;missing."

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cyclone-seroja-causes-widespread-damage-in-australias-west-coast-377004">Cyclone Seroja causes 'widespread damage' in Australia's west coast</a>

Among them are&nbsp;three&nbsp;staff working at the Batang Toru hydropower facility, including one Chinese national, feared buried beneath a mountain of mud and debris.

The employees were checking on the area over concerns that heavy rains could trigger landslides when disaster struck, according to Firman Taufick, spokesman for plant operator PT North Sumatera Hydro Energy.

Another Chinese employee narrowly escaped as he fled the scene, Taufick added.

"We're working with a rescue team from the military and police are combing the area now," he said.

Fatal landslides and flash floods are common across the Indonesian archipelago during the rainy season.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This month,&nbsp;more&nbsp;than 200 people were killed in a cluster of far-eastern islands and neighbouring East Timor when Tropical <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cyclone-seroja-causes-widespread-damage-in-australias-west-coast-377004">Cyclone Seroja</a> turned small communities&nbsp;into wastelands of mud and uprooted trees.&nbsp;

Seroja, one of the most destructive storms to hit the region in years, forced thousands to flee to shelters.

Indonesia's disaster agency has estimated that 125 million Indonesians, nearly half of the country's population, live in areas at risk of landslides.&nbsp;

The disasters are often caused by deforestation and poor mitigation planning, according to environmentalists.

Two children are among three people confirmed killed by a landslide at a Chinese-backed power plant on Indonesia's Sumatra island, authorities said Friday, with fears that the toll would rise.

Two children are among three people confirmed killed by a landslide at a Chinese-backed power plant on Indonesia's Sumatra island, authorities said Friday, with fears that the toll would rise. Heavy rains pounded the area in North Sumatra on Thursday evening, triggering the deadly torrent. "This morning we found three dead victims, one adult and two children," said Toto Mulyono, head of the search-and-rescue agency in provincial capital Medan city. "We're still searching for nine more missing." Also read | Cyclone Seroja causes 'widespread damage' in Australia's west coast Among them are three staff working at the Batang Toru hydropower facility, including one Chinese national, feared buried beneath a mountain of mud and debris. The employees were checking on the area over concerns that heavy rains could trigger landslides when disaster struck, according to Firman Taufick, spokesman for plant operator PT North Sumatera Hydro Energy. Another Chinese employee narrowly escaped as he fled the scene, Taufick added. "We're working with a rescue team from the military and police are combing the area now," he said. Fatal landslides and flash floods are common across the Indonesian archipelago during the rainy season. This month, more than 200 people were killed in a cluster of far-eastern islands and neighbouring East Timor when Tropical Cyclone Seroja turned small communities into wastelands of mud and uprooted trees. Seroja, one of the most destructive storms to hit the region in years, forced thousands to flee to shelters. Indonesia's disaster agency has estimated that 125 million Indonesians, nearly half of the country's population, live in areas at risk of landslides. The disasters are often caused by deforestation and poor mitigation planning, according to environmentalists.

Indonesia landslide kills three, more missing

Indonesian police said they shot dead one and arrested 17 other people as they broke up a major drug ring attempting to smuggle more than 2.5 tonnes (5,000 pounds) of methamphetamine originating from Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Police found the first load of more than 1,278 tonnes board a ship that docked in Aceh Besar district on April 10. Five days later, police seized another 1,267 tonnes from Aceh Barat district, said the chief of Indonesia's National Police, Listyo Sigit Prabowo.&nbsp;

He said that one of the suspects was shot dead during the arrest. The suspects included one Nigerian and the rest are Indonesians.&nbsp;

The ring in Aceh was connected to six prisoners, who are currently serving sentences in the province, said Agus Andrianto, head of the Criminal Investigation Department. He said the network involved people in Afghanistan, Nigeria, Malaysia and those in the prison.&nbsp;

Indonesia has very strict drug laws and convicted traffickers are often executed by a firing squad. More than 150 people are on death row, mostly for drug crimes, and about a third of them are foreigners. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Indonesian police said they shot dead one and arrested 17 other people as they broke up a major drug ring attempting to smuggle more than 2.5 tonnes (5,000 pounds) of methamphetamine originating from Afghanistan.

Indonesian police said they shot dead one and arrested 17 other people as they broke up a major drug ring attempting to smuggle more than 2.5 tonnes (5,000 pounds) of methamphetamine originating from Afghanistan. Police found the first load of more than 1,278 tonnes board a ship that docked in Aceh Besar district on April 10. Five days later, police seized another 1,267 tonnes from Aceh Barat district, said the chief of Indonesia's National Police, Listyo Sigit Prabowo. He said that one of the suspects was shot dead during the arrest. The suspects included one Nigerian and the rest are Indonesians. The ring in Aceh was connected to six prisoners, who are currently serving sentences in the province, said Agus Andrianto, head of the Criminal Investigation Department. He said the network involved people in Afghanistan, Nigeria, Malaysia and those in the prison. Indonesia has very strict drug laws and convicted traffickers are often executed by a firing squad. More than 150 people are on death row, mostly for drug crimes, and about a third of them are foreigners. (With inputs from agencies)

Indonesia seizes 2.5 tonnes of meth; 1 dead, 17 arrested in operation

A poignant video has emerged showing the crew of a sunken Indonesian submarine singing happily together on board their vessel.

The video, filmed a few weeks before the KRI Nanggala 402 went down with all hands lost, shows some of the 53-strong crew singing "Sampai Jumpa", an Indonesian hit whose title means "Goodbye".

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Selamat jalan pahlawan bangsa, patriot sejati, terima kasih tugasmu telah usai 
guna menjaga perbatasan demi keutuhan NKRI 
 
Semoga amal dan ibadahmu diterima disisi-Nya.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/jalesvevajayamahe?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#jalesvevajayamahe</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tnial?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#tnial</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/indonesiannavy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#indonesiannavy</a> <a href="https://t.co/UkHWiLoZ7o">pic.twitter.com/UkHWiLoZ7o</a>
— TNI Angkatan Laut (@_TNIAL_) <a href="https://twitter.com/_TNIAL_/status/1386686920067936260?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Submarine commander Heri Oktavian is among those gathered around a seaman strumming an acoustic guitar.

"Even though I'm not ready to be missing you, I'm not ready to live without you," the sailors sing.

"I wish all the best for you."

The video was recorded as a farewell for the outgoing commander of the navy's submarine corps, whose successor took up his role in early March, Indonesian military spokesman Djawara Whimbo said.

The German-built submarine, one of five in&nbsp;Indonesia's fleet, disappeared early Wednesday while it was scheduled to do live torpedo training exercises off Bali.

An international search and rescue effort involving aircraft and specialised naval vessels, including from Singapore, Australia and the United States, had raced against the clock to find the submarine in case it was still intact and before oxygen ran out.

But on Sunday&nbsp;Indonesia's military chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto confirmed the Nanggala had sunk and all of it crew had died.

Navy chief of staff Yudo Margono said the crew were not to blame for the accident and that the submarine did not experience a blackout, blaming "forces of nature".

(With inputs from agencies)

A poignant video has emerged showing the crew of a sunken Indonesian submarine singing happily together on board their vessel. The video, filmed a few weeks before the KRI Nanggala 402 went down with all hands lost, shows some of the 53-strong crew singing "Sampai Jumpa", an Indonesian hit whose title means "Goodbye".

A poignant video has emerged showing the crew of a sunken Indonesian submarine singing happily together on board their vessel. The video, filmed a few weeks before the KRI Nanggala 402 went down with all hands lost, shows some of the 53-strong crew singing "Sampai Jumpa", an Indonesian hit whose title means "Goodbye". Selamat jalan pahlawan bangsa, patriot sejati, terima kasih tugasmu telah usai guna menjaga perbatasan demi keutuhan NKRI Semoga amal dan ibadahmu diterima disisi-Nya.#jalesvevajayamahe #tnial #indonesiannavy pic.twitter.com/UkHWiLoZ7o — TNI Angkatan Laut (@_TNIAL_) April 26, 2021 × Submarine commander Heri Oktavian is among those gathered around a seaman strumming an acoustic guitar. "Even though I'm not ready to be missing you, I'm not ready to live without you," the sailors sing. "I wish all the best for you." The video was recorded as a farewell for the outgoing commander of the navy's submarine corps, whose successor took up his role in early March, Indonesian military spokesman Djawara Whimbo said. The German-built submarine, one of five in Indonesia's fleet, disappeared early Wednesday while it was scheduled to do live torpedo training exercises off Bali. An international search and rescue effort involving aircraft and specialised naval vessels, including from Singapore, Australia and the United States, had raced against the clock to find the submarine in case it was still intact and before oxygen ran out. But on Sunday Indonesia's military chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto confirmed the Nanggala had sunk and all of it crew had died. Navy chief of staff Yudo Margono said the crew were not to blame for the accident and that the submarine did not experience a blackout, blaming "forces of nature". (With inputs from agencies)

Before the tragedy: Indonesia Navy releases video of submarine crew singing a farewell song

The missing Indonesian submarine has been found broken into at least three pieces. According to the military all 53 crew members aboard have been killed.

Missing Indonesian submarine found broken into 3 pieces

A missing Indonesian submarine has been found, broken into at least three parts, deep in the Bali Sea, army and navy officials said on Sunday, as the president sent condolences to relatives of the 53 crew.

Rescuers found new objects, including a life vest, that they believe belong to those aboard the 44-year old KRI Nanggala-402, which lost contact on Wednesday as it prepared to conduct a torpedo drill.

"Based on the evidence, it can be stated that the KRI Nanggala has sunk and all of its crew have died," military chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto told reporters.&nbsp;Navy chief of staff Yudo Margono said the crew were not to blame for the accident.

Watch |

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"The KRI Nanggala is divided into three parts, the hull of the ship, the stern of the ship, and the main parts are all separated, with the main part found cracked," he said.

President Joko Widodo earlier confirmed the discovery in the Bali Sea and sent the families of the victims his condolences.&nbsp;"All of us Indonesians express our deep sorrow over this tragedy, especially to the families of the submarine crew."

Search teams said on Saturday they had found objects including prayer mat fragments and a bottle of periscope lubricant near the submarine's last known location, leading the navy to believe the vessel had cracked.

Margono said on Saturday that a sonar scan had detected a submarine-like object at 850 metres (2,790 feet), beyond the Nanggala's diving range.

More than a dozen helicopters and ships are searching the area where contact was lost, with the United States, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and India providing assistance.

Residents of the East Java town of Banyuwangi, which hosts the naval base from where search and rescue operations are being conducted, joined nationwide calls to accelerate the modernisation of Indonesia's defence forces.&nbsp;

"This can be a learning point for the government to advance its military technology and be careful in how it uses its (existing) technology because its people's lives are at stake," said 29-year old resident Hein Ferdy Sentoso.

Southeast Asia's most-populous country has sought to revamp its military capability, yet some equipment is still old and there have been fatal accidents in recent years.

Indonesia had five submarines before the latest accident: two German-built Type 209s including Nanggala and three newer South Korean vessels.

A missing Indonesian submarine has been found, broken into at least three parts, deep in the Bali Sea, army and navy officials said on Sunday, as the president sent condolences to relatives of the 53 crew.

A missing Indonesian submarine has been found, broken into at least three parts, deep in the Bali Sea, army and navy officials said on Sunday, as the president sent condolences to relatives of the 53 crew. Rescuers found new objects, including a life vest, that they believe belong to those aboard the 44-year old KRI Nanggala-402, which lost contact on Wednesday as it prepared to conduct a torpedo drill. "Based on the evidence, it can be stated that the KRI Nanggala has sunk and all of its crew have died," military chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto told reporters. Navy chief of staff Yudo Margono said the crew were not to blame for the accident. Watch | "The KRI Nanggala is divided into three parts, the hull of the ship, the stern of the ship, and the main parts are all separated, with the main part found cracked," he said. President Joko Widodo earlier confirmed the discovery in the Bali Sea and sent the families of the victims his condolences. "All of us Indonesians express our deep sorrow over this tragedy, especially to the families of the submarine crew." Search teams said on Saturday they had found objects including prayer mat fragments and a bottle of periscope lubricant near the submarine's last known location, leading the navy to believe the vessel had cracked. Margono said on Saturday that a sonar scan had detected a submarine-like object at 850 metres (2,790 feet), beyond the Nanggala's diving range. More than a dozen helicopters and ships are searching the area where contact was lost, with the United States, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and India providing assistance. Residents of the East Java town of Banyuwangi, which hosts the naval base from where search and rescue operations are being conducted, joined nationwide calls to accelerate the modernisation of Indonesia's defence forces. "This can be a learning point for the government to advance its military technology and be careful in how it uses its (existing) technology because its people's lives are at stake," said 29-year old resident Hein Ferdy Sentoso. Southeast Asia's most-populous country has sought to revamp its military capability, yet some equipment is still old and there have been fatal accidents in recent years. Indonesia had five submarines before the latest accident: two German-built Type 209s including Nanggala and three newer South Korean vessels.

Sunken missing Indonesian submarine found cracked open by rescuers

Kuwait's directorate general of civil aviation said early on Saturday in a tweet that it had suspended all direct commercial flights coming from India, effective April 24 and until further notice.

The move was on the instructions of health authorities after an evaluation of the global coronavirus status. All passengers arriving from India either directly or via another country will be banned from entering unless they have spent at least 14 days out of India, the statement said.

Kuwaiti citizens, their first-degree relatives and their domestic workers will be allowed to enter. Cargo is unaffected.

Kuwait is not the first country to impose travel restrictions on India. This past week Singapore health ministry also said that it will not allow entry to long-term visa holders and short-term visitors with recent&nbsp;travel&nbsp;history to&nbsp;India, which is battling a second wave of COVID-19 infections.

The government said&nbsp;travel&nbsp;restrictions&nbsp;with&nbsp;India&nbsp;will help curb potential cases in the dormitories because many of the labourers arrive from the South Asian nation.

On April 22, Australia has also announced that it will reduce the number of its citizens able to return from&nbsp;India&nbsp;and other red zone countries to contain the risk of more virulent strains of COVID-19, the government. These changes will affect direct flights from&nbsp;India&nbsp;to Sydney and chartered flights that land in the Northern Territory.

Indonesia has also stated that it will stop issuing visas for foreigners who have been in&nbsp;India&nbsp;in the past 14 days to prevent the spread of different coronavirus strains. Indonesians arriving from&nbsp;India&nbsp;will be allowed to enter, however, but must follow stricter health protocols and quarantine.

Kuwait's directorate general of civil aviation said early on Saturday in a tweet that it had suspended all direct commercial flights coming from India, effective April 24 and until further notice.

Kuwait's directorate general of civil aviation said early on Saturday in a tweet that it had suspended all direct commercial flights coming from India, effective April 24 and until further notice. The move was on the instructions of health authorities after an evaluation of the global coronavirus status. All passengers arriving from India either directly or via another country will be banned from entering unless they have spent at least 14 days out of India, the statement said. Kuwaiti citizens, their first-degree relatives and their domestic workers will be allowed to enter. Cargo is unaffected. Kuwait is not the first country to impose travel restrictions on India. This past week Singapore health ministry also said that it will not allow entry to long-term visa holders and short-term visitors with recent travel history to India, which is battling a second wave of COVID-19 infections. The government said travel restrictions with India will help curb potential cases in the dormitories because many of the labourers arrive from the South Asian nation. On April 22, Australia has also announced that it will reduce the number of its citizens able to return from India and other red zone countries to contain the risk of more virulent strains of COVID-19, the government. These changes will affect direct flights from India to Sydney and chartered flights that land in the Northern Territory. Indonesia has also stated that it will stop issuing visas for foreigners who have been in India in the past 14 days to prevent the spread of different coronavirus strains. Indonesians arriving from India will be allowed to enter, however, but must follow stricter health protocols and quarantine.

Following a rise in India's Covid numbers, Kuwait suspends commercial flights from India

An Indonesian navy submarine that disappeared off the island of Bali this week with crew members on board is believed to have sunk, the country’s military said after recovering debris from the vessel.

Debris of missing Indonesian submarine found, Navy says it sank with dozens onboard

Chances of rescuing crew of mission Indonesian submarine appeared bleak on Saturday with the submarine's Oxygen reserves believed to have run out. Hundreds of military personnel have taken part so far in the hunt for KRI Nanggala 402 which disappeared on Wednesday during live torpedo training exercise off the Indonesian holiday island.

The authorities say that German-built submarine was equipped with enough Oxygen to last for three days after losing power.

The deadline passed early Saturday

The submarine -- one of five in Indonesia's fleet -- disappeared early Wednesday during live torpedo training exercises off the Indonesian holiday island.

Despite hopes for a miracle, an oil spill spotted where the submarine is thought to have submerged pointed to possible fuel-tank damage, fanning fears of a deadly disaster.

There are concerns of the submarine having broken apart as it sank.&nbsp;

The vessel was scheduled to conduct the training exercises when it asked for permission to dive. It lost contact shortly after.

Authorities have not offered possible explanations for the submarine's sudden disappearance or commented on questions about whether the decades-old vessel was overloaded.

Neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia as well as the United States and Australia were among nations helping in the hunt with nearly two dozen warships deployed to scour a search zone covering about 10 square nautical miles (34 square kilometres).

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Chances of rescuing crew of mission Indonesian submarine appeared bleak on Saturday with the submarine's Oxygen reserves believed to have run out. Hundreds of military personnel have taken part so far in the hunt for KRI Nanggala 402 which disappeared on Wednesday during live torpedo training exercise off the Indonesian holiday island.

Chances of rescuing crew of mission Indonesian submarine appeared bleak on Saturday with the submarine's Oxygen reserves believed to have run out. Hundreds of military personnel have taken part so far in the hunt for KRI Nanggala 402 which disappeared on Wednesday during live torpedo training exercise off the Indonesian holiday island. The authorities say that German-built submarine was equipped with enough Oxygen to last for three days after losing power. The deadline passed early Saturday The submarine -- one of five in Indonesia's fleet -- disappeared early Wednesday during live torpedo training exercises off the Indonesian holiday island. Despite hopes for a miracle, an oil spill spotted where the submarine is thought to have submerged pointed to possible fuel-tank damage, fanning fears of a deadly disaster. There are concerns of the submarine having broken apart as it sank. The vessel was scheduled to conduct the training exercises when it asked for permission to dive. It lost contact shortly after. Authorities have not offered possible explanations for the submarine's sudden disappearance or commented on questions about whether the decades-old vessel was overloaded. Neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia as well as the United States and Australia were among nations helping in the hunt with nearly two dozen warships deployed to scour a search zone covering about 10 square nautical miles (34 square kilometres). (With inputs from agencies)

Indonesia: Dwindling Oxygen fades hopes for submarine crew

Indonesian navy said on Saturday that the submarine that disappeared off Bali with 53 aborad had sunk. The navy said that it had recovered the debris. The debris included components and items from inside the vessel. The submarine and its crew of 53 had gone missing and a frantic search was on.

"With authentic evidence believed to be from the KRI Nanggala, we have raised the status from submiss to subsunk," Navy chief Yudo Margono told reporters. He added that that the retrieved items could not have come from another vessel.

"Over the past few days we've recovered debris and items from the last location that the submarine was diving," he said.

"(The items) would not have come outside the submarine if there was no external pressure or without damage to its torpedo launcher."

Hopes of rescuing KRI Nanggala 402 submarine crew alive had dimmed on Saturday as Oxygen reserves in the submarine were thought to have run out.

The authorities say that German-built submarine was equipped with enough Oxygen to last for three days after losing power.

The submarine -- one of five in Indonesia's fleet -- disappeared early Wednesday during live torpedo training exercises off the Indonesian holiday island.

There were concerns of the submarine having broken apart as it sank

The vessel was scheduled to conduct the training exercises when it asked for permission to dive. It lost contact shortly after.

Neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia as well as the United States and Australia were among nations helping in the hunt with nearly two dozen warships deployed to scour a search zone covering about 10 square nautical miles (34 square kilometres).

(With inputs from agencies)

Indonesian navy said on Saturday that the submarine that disappeared off Bali with 53 aborad had sunk. The navy said that it had recovered the debris. The debris included components and items from inside the vessel.

Indonesian navy said on Saturday that the submarine that disappeared off Bali with 53 aborad had sunk. The navy said that it had recovered the debris. The debris included components and items from inside the vessel. The submarine and its crew of 53 had gone missing and a frantic search was on. "With authentic evidence believed to be from the KRI Nanggala, we have raised the status from submiss to subsunk," Navy chief Yudo Margono told reporters. He added that that the retrieved items could not have come from another vessel. "Over the past few days we've recovered debris and items from the last location that the submarine was diving," he said. "(The items) would not have come outside the submarine if there was no external pressure or without damage to its torpedo launcher." Hopes of rescuing KRI Nanggala 402 submarine crew alive had dimmed on Saturday as Oxygen reserves in the submarine were thought to have run out. The authorities say that German-built submarine was equipped with enough Oxygen to last for three days after losing power. The submarine -- one of five in Indonesia's fleet -- disappeared early Wednesday during live torpedo training exercises off the Indonesian holiday island. There were concerns of the submarine having broken apart as it sank The vessel was scheduled to conduct the training exercises when it asked for permission to dive. It lost contact shortly after. Neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia as well as the United States and Australia were among nations helping in the hunt with nearly two dozen warships deployed to scour a search zone covering about 10 square nautical miles (34 square kilometres). (With inputs from agencies)

Indonesia: Missing submarine has sunk, says country's navy

The oxygen supply for the Indonesia's missing submarine is believed to have run out with no sign of the vessel. The Indonesian Navy's KRI Nanggala 402 submarine went missing on Wednesday, after it failed to re-emerge from its last reported dive in waters near Bali.

Oxygen believed to have run out in Indonesia's missing submarine

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