A total of 77 people have been rescued alive and being treated at a hospitalfor their injuries, said a local disaster management agency, adding that therescue group are searching for the missing persons.
The accident took place in waters off Tauro islands while the wooden boat wason its way to Halmahera Barat district from Ternate.
It suffered from enginefailure when huge waves and strong winds hit the waters.
The number of people on board exceeded the manifest of 67, including tenchildren. -VNA