Ferry sinks in Indonesia, passengers jump into the sea

(Baonghean.vn) - A ferry sank in the strait between the Indonesian islands of Bali and Java on March 4, and television footage showed passengers standing on the edge of the vessel and then jumping into the sea as it sank into calm waters. Officials said 71 people had been rescued and at least four were missing.

People watch rescue workers search for survivors at the scene of a ferry sinking in Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia on March 4. Photo: Internet.

Didi Hamzar, head of Bali's Search and Rescue Agency, said the vessel's manifest listed only 51 people on board, including 14 crew. Passenger ships in Indonesia routinely carry more passengers than the number listed on the manifest.

TVOne broadcast footage showing other ships in the distance as the Rafelia 2 ferry sank in the narrow Bali Strait.

Boats are a popular and relatively affordable means of transport in the world’s most archipelago nation, with more than 17,000 islands and a population of 250 million. Maritime accidents are common and safety regulations are often poorly enforced.

The ferry was en route from Gilimanuk port in Bali to Banyuwangi in Java. The cause of the accident is under investigation.

The head of the local navy, Lieutenant Colonel Wahyu Endriawan, said 71 people had been rescued. “We don’t know yet if anyone is trapped,” he told MetroTV.

Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho also confirmed that 71 people had been rescued while four others - including the captain, a deck officer, a woman and a child - were still missing.

Thu Giang

(According to AP)