Post by zzz on Jun 22, 2006 23:48:49 GMT 10
Pretty grim - anyone know anyone over there at the moment?
www.smh.com.au/news/world/australian-among-missing-in-ferry-accident/2006/06/22/1150845314331.html
At least 31 people including an Australian and two Americans are missing after a ferry with 116 people on board sank in waters in North Sumatra Province in western Indonesia, a local police officer said today.
The wreckage of the Surya Makmur Indah ferry was found on the island of Bintanak near the town of Sibolga today, the police officer in the province's Tapanuli Tengah Regency told Kyodo News.
"All but 31 have survived the incident," the officer said. Twelve crew members were among the 116 people.
"The ferry left the town of Gunungsitoli on Nias Island at 9.30pm Wednesday and was on its way to Sibolga when it was probably hit by high waves and strong winds," the officer said.
Indonesia's navy had pulled 73 survivors from choppy seas, Lieutenant Colonel Jaka Santoso, chief of the Sibolga naval base, said earlier.
An Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman said officials were making inquiries.
"We are aware of reports a ferry has sunk between Nias Island and Sibolga," the spokesman said.
"Consular officials from our Jakarta embassy are liaising with local authorities to determine whether any Australians are on board."
Sibolga is about 1,200km north-west of Jakarta, while Bintanak is 6km west of Sibolga.
It was not immediately known when the vessel sank but most probably early today.
"I received the report about the accident at 8.30am Thursday," Lt Col Jaka Sentosa, navy base commander in Sibolga, told Kyodo News.
It is common in Indonesia for ferries, ships or boats to carry more passengers than their capacity, resulting in frequent sea and river accidents.
Nias, which was devastated by the December 2004 tsunami and the March 2005 earthquake, lies about 140km west of Sibolga.
www.smh.com.au/news/world/australian-among-missing-in-ferry-accident/2006/06/22/1150845314331.html
At least 31 people including an Australian and two Americans are missing after a ferry with 116 people on board sank in waters in North Sumatra Province in western Indonesia, a local police officer said today.
The wreckage of the Surya Makmur Indah ferry was found on the island of Bintanak near the town of Sibolga today, the police officer in the province's Tapanuli Tengah Regency told Kyodo News.
"All but 31 have survived the incident," the officer said. Twelve crew members were among the 116 people.
"The ferry left the town of Gunungsitoli on Nias Island at 9.30pm Wednesday and was on its way to Sibolga when it was probably hit by high waves and strong winds," the officer said.
Indonesia's navy had pulled 73 survivors from choppy seas, Lieutenant Colonel Jaka Santoso, chief of the Sibolga naval base, said earlier.
An Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman said officials were making inquiries.
"We are aware of reports a ferry has sunk between Nias Island and Sibolga," the spokesman said.
"Consular officials from our Jakarta embassy are liaising with local authorities to determine whether any Australians are on board."
Sibolga is about 1,200km north-west of Jakarta, while Bintanak is 6km west of Sibolga.
It was not immediately known when the vessel sank but most probably early today.
"I received the report about the accident at 8.30am Thursday," Lt Col Jaka Sentosa, navy base commander in Sibolga, told Kyodo News.
It is common in Indonesia for ferries, ships or boats to carry more passengers than their capacity, resulting in frequent sea and river accidents.
Nias, which was devastated by the December 2004 tsunami and the March 2005 earthquake, lies about 140km west of Sibolga.
