At least 11 dead, nine missing as overloaded boat capsizes in Indonesia

JAKARTA – An overloaded passenger-speed boat sank in the waters off Indonesia’s western province of Riau yesterday, leaving at least 11 people dead and more than 9 others missing, reported Xinhua quoting a rescuer.

The speed boat, SB Evelyn Calisca 01, sank in the waters off Pulau Burung of Indragiri Hilir district of the province, about 30 minutes after departing from a seaport in the district. The boat was heading to a seaport in Tg Pinang, the capital of Riau Islands province, said I Nyoman Sidakarya, head of the provincial search-and-rescue office.

“The number of casualties has reached 11 people, and over 9 others are confirmed to be missing,” he said in a release received by Xinhua.

Sidakarya said that the number of casualties and missing people may rise as many passengers were not listed on the manifest.

He said 58 people were rescued by the joint rescue team comprised of the search-and-rescue office, soldiers, policemen and volunteers.

Within the next few days, the search-and-rescue office would wait for reports from relatives or family about the loss of their members, Kukuh Widodo, a press officer at the search-and-rescue office in Riau province, told Xinhua by phone.

“This speed boat is too small for carrying more than 80 people. It was seriously overloaded,” he said. – Bernama, April 28, 2023