At least six people have died and 129 others are missing after a passenger ferry capsized in Indonesia’s Java Sea during bad weather.
Indonesia’s search and rescue agency disclosed this on Sunday as efforts continued to locate survivors from the incident.
Rescuers said 108 people had been pulled alive from the “Virgo Transport 8,” which was carrying 243 people, including 30 crew members, when it lost contact with authorities early on Sunday.
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Search teams were still combing the waters for more survivors.
Indonesia’s Transport Minister, Dudy Purwagandhi, said a passing helicopter had spotted the vessel capsized, adding that the cause of the incident was still under investigation.
The search and rescue agency had earlier reported that the ferry had sunk.
The Head of the agency’s Banjarmasin office, Putu Sudayana, said rescued passengers had been transferred to other vessels, while some were being transported to a port in East Java.
Survivor Rinto Arahab recounted how he clung to the ship’s railings as it overturned before climbing to a higher point while the vessel was tossed by the waves.
“I felt resigned. I could only pray for my safety,” Arahab said.
Families gathered at the city’s rescue centre awaiting news of their loved ones.
One relative, who identified herself only as Putri, said she had lost contact with her husband, Herman, while he was still on board the ferry.
The vessel departed Surabaya in East Java on Saturday.
Indonesia, an archipelago of about 17,000 islands, relies heavily on ferry transport, with sea travel remaining more affordable and accessible than air transportation for many residents.
Reuters
