BBC, Wednesday, 11 July 2007, 13:31 GMT 14:31 UK
Dozens missing on Indonesia ship
Two children have died and dozens of passengers are missing after a ship
disappeared in eastern Indonesia.
The boat was travelling from Buru to Ambon, the capital of Maluku province, when its
engine failed in rough seas.
About 70 people were on board, 23 of whom have now been rescued, an official with
the Ambon port authority said.
Boat travel is an important mode of transport between Indonesia's many islands, but
accidents are frequent due to poor safety standards.
Ambon port official Karim Tuanaya said passengers of the KM Wahai Star were
rescued from the sea by staff aboard an oil tanker who had heard their cries for help.
"The tanker is still on location because the weather is still bad, with strong currents,
rain and it's very dark," Mr Tuanaya said.
Rescue efforts were continuing, but were hampered by huge waves, he said.
More than 40 people died when a fire broke out aboard a ferry travelling from Jakarta in
February and at least 400 people were killed when a ferry sank in a storm off Java in
December.
© BBC MMIV
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