11 Jul 2005

Search continues for survivors of Indonesian ferry capsize

10:28 am on 11 July 2005

Searchers are still looking for about a hundred people still missing after a ferry capsized in rough waters off Merauke in Indonesia's Papua province on Thursday

The 120-ton ferry is believed to have been vastly overcrowded when it left the port of Kelapa Lima.

It was chartered by a store in Merauke to carry heavy equipment and its employees to Tanah Merah.

The ship's official manifest, stated that the ship was carrying 35 passengers and 15 crew as well as heavy equipment.

However, the head of Merauke's Search and Rescue Office, Supeno Yuwono, has told the Jakarta Post newspaper that according to one survivor the ship had some 200 passengers on board when it left port.

The search for other survivors is continuing