Jakarta, Feb 25: Rescuers today recovered 10 more bodies from waters close to where a passenger ship sank in Indonesia, raising the death toll to 18 as search efforts went on for at least 51 others believed missing, a maritime police official said. There were conflicting reports, however, about the number of people missing as a result of Monday's accident off the coast of north Sumatra island. Another police official put the figure at 33.
Maritime police vessels and fishing boats scoured the area today looking for survivors. At least 63 passengers have been rescued. Eight people were confirmed dead yesterday.
"We found more dead bodies drifting in the area where the ship sank," said Agus Ramadhan from the region's maritime police division.
Survivors have told police that a fire broke out in the ship's engine room before it sank in poor weather.
Ramadhan said differing reports on those missing were due to poor communication and the difficulty of ascertaining how many people were on the boat when it went down, some 1,350 kms northwest of the capital, Jakarta.
Shipping accidents are common in Indonesia, a vast Arcipelago where much traveling is done by boat. Safety regulations are poorly enforced. Boats are sometimes overcrowded and ship owners often claim they are unable to afford maintenance and repairs. Bureau Report