Indonesia: At least 15 killed, several missing after ferry sinks off Sulawesi island
Indonesian authorities were searching for missing passengers after the ferry sank
A search and rescue operation is underway as at least 15 people were killed and 19 were missing after a ferry sank off thecoast of Indonesia's Sulawesi island on Monday (July 24).
Local reports said the ferry, with 40 people on board, sank just after midnight (1700 GMT,Sunday). It hadbeen crossing fromLanto village on Buton island to Lagili village on Muna island in Southeast Sulawesi when the tragedy struck.
"Provisionally, there are 19 people who are still being searched for," Muhamad Arafah, head of the local search and rescue agency in Kendari city in Southeast Sulawesi was quoted as saying by AFP.
Six people survived the sinking and were rescued by the officials and sent to the hospital for treatment.
"All the victims have been identified and handed over to the families while the survivors are now being treated in local hospital," added Arafah.
Watch: 29 dead in Indonesia ferry disaster; search underway
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The rescue images shared by the agencies showed victims' bodies covered in cloth on the floor of one of the local hospitals.
It is still unclear what caused the ferry to sink but preliminary investigations suggest it may have something to do with overcrowding.
Ferry accidents common in Indonesia
Ferries are a common mode of transport across Indonesia, an archipelago, made up of more than 17,000 islands. Naturally, the laws are lax and safety standards mostly non-existent.
Last May, a ferry carrying over 800 passengers ranaground in shallow waters off East Nusa Tenggara province for two days. It remained stuck there before the authorities intervened and managed to dislodge it. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the accident.
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In 2018, 150 passengers aboard a ferry died after the vessel carrying them sank ina deep volcanic crater lake on the island of Sumatra.
(With inputs from agencies)
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