This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8372795.stm
The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 7 | Version 8 |
---|---|
Indonesia ferry sinks in squall | Indonesia ferry sinks in squall |
(10 minutes later) | |
At least 23 people are now reported to have died after a ferry sank off the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. | |
But more than 200 others were rescued from the sea after the accident, which happened early on Sunday. | But more than 200 others were rescued from the sea after the accident, which happened early on Sunday. |
Officials blamed the incident on bad weather and high waves. They say some people are missing but it is not clear how many. | Officials blamed the incident on bad weather and high waves. They say some people are missing but it is not clear how many. |
Some reports suggested that the ferry, which had a capacity of 273 people, may have been overloaded when it sank. | Some reports suggested that the ferry, which had a capacity of 273 people, may have been overloaded when it sank. |
According to its manifest, about 240 people were on board the Dumai Express 10 ferry when it sailed, but it is not clear if this was accurate. | According to its manifest, about 240 people were on board the Dumai Express 10 ferry when it sailed, but it is not clear if this was accurate. |
Indonesia's sea transport director-general, Sunaryo, said rescue efforts were being hampered by bad weather. | Indonesia's sea transport director-general, Sunaryo, said rescue efforts were being hampered by bad weather. |
"The waves are as high as six metres, it's difficult for small ships to reach the location," he told a news conference in Jakarta. | "The waves are as high as six metres, it's difficult for small ships to reach the location," he told a news conference in Jakarta. |
Search efforts have now ceased for the night but officials say they will resume in the morning. | Search efforts have now ceased for the night but officials say they will resume in the morning. |
'Traumatised' | 'Traumatised' |
The Dumai Express 10 was travelling from Batam island to Dumai in Riau, Sumatra, when it sank. | The Dumai Express 10 was travelling from Batam island to Dumai in Riau, Sumatra, when it sank. |
Officials said it rolled over before capsizing about 90 minutes into its voyage. | Officials said it rolled over before capsizing about 90 minutes into its voyage. |
RECENT MARITIME DISASTERS 11 Jan 2009: At least 232 people - possibly many more - die as ferry sinks off Sulawesi11 July 2007: Passenger ship with 70 on board sinks off eastern Indonesia 22 Feb 2007: At least 42 die as ferry catches fire30 Dec 2006: More than 400 lost as ferry sinks between Borneo and Java7 July 2005: About 200 die as ferry sinks off eastern Indonesia Indonesia's public transport perils | RECENT MARITIME DISASTERS 11 Jan 2009: At least 232 people - possibly many more - die as ferry sinks off Sulawesi11 July 2007: Passenger ship with 70 on board sinks off eastern Indonesia 22 Feb 2007: At least 42 die as ferry catches fire30 Dec 2006: More than 400 lost as ferry sinks between Borneo and Java7 July 2005: About 200 die as ferry sinks off eastern Indonesia Indonesia's public transport perils |
Rescue efforts were aided by the fact that the ferry went down in the busy Malacca Straits between Indonesia and Malaysia. | Rescue efforts were aided by the fact that the ferry went down in the busy Malacca Straits between Indonesia and Malaysia. |
It is not clear exactly how many people have been picked up. | |
The chief of police in Riau told the BBC that 218 had been rescued; earlier other officials gave totals of 292 and 232. | |
The total number of people on board the vessel remains unknown. | The total number of people on board the vessel remains unknown. |
A navy spokesman said it was not clear whether anyone was still inside the ferry, which was now completely submerged. | A navy spokesman said it was not clear whether anyone was still inside the ferry, which was now completely submerged. |
"We're not sure if anyone is trapped in the ferry. Those who have been rescued are traumatised," Iskandar Sitompul said. | "We're not sure if anyone is trapped in the ferry. Those who have been rescued are traumatised," Iskandar Sitompul said. |
Another ferry, the Dumai Express 15, was reported to have run aground in bad weather as it travelled between Batam and Moro islands. | Another ferry, the Dumai Express 15, was reported to have run aground in bad weather as it travelled between Batam and Moro islands. |
All 278 passengers and crew on board were said to be safe. | All 278 passengers and crew on board were said to be safe. |
Ferry accidents linked to over-crowding and poor vessel maintenance kill hundreds of passengers in Indonesia each year. | Ferry accidents linked to over-crowding and poor vessel maintenance kill hundreds of passengers in Indonesia each year. |
The country's large population is spread out over 17,000 islands and relies on ships and ferries to travel around. | The country's large population is spread out over 17,000 islands and relies on ships and ferries to travel around. |
In the last three years, at least 800 people have been killed in ferry accidents in Indonesia. | In the last three years, at least 800 people have been killed in ferry accidents in Indonesia. |
Are you in Sumatra? Do you know anybody who was on board of the ferry? Tell us what is happening using the form below. | Are you in Sumatra? Do you know anybody who was on board of the ferry? Tell us what is happening using the form below. |
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
Send your pictures or videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures or videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. |
Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |