Indonesia: number of missing victims in ferry sinking climbs to 180
Indonesian police on June 20 revealed that around 180 people are missing after an overloaded ferry sank on popular Lake Toba two days ago, nearly three times higher than initial estimates.
Search and rescue personnel are exerting efforts to search for missing victims (Source: VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian police on June 20 revealed that around 180people are missing after an overloaded ferry sank on popular Lake Toba two daysago, nearly three times higher than initial estimates.
The wooden vessel, overcrowded with passengers as well asdozens of motorbikes, didn’t have a manifest.
To date, three have been confirmed dead and 18 rescued.
About 400 rescue personnel, including military and policeofficers, were deployed in the search.
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency predicted that thework may last at least one week.
Spokesperson of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency ofIndonesia Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said that the KM Sinar Bangun boat sank at about5:30 pm on June 18 when it was sailing from Samosir, a volcanic island in themiddle of Lake Toba, to Parapat town.
Local officials said that the ferry is designed to carry amaximum of 60 passengers. Most of the passengers were holidaymakers enjoyingthe country's 12-day-long Eid al-Fitr holiday.
The 3,000-square-kilometre lake, which is the largestvolcanic lake in the world, is a popular spot for local and internationaltourists.-VNA
Indonesian rescue workers fought heavy rains and 2m waves in a search for survivors after a boat with at least 80 passengers on board sank in Lake Toba, a popular tourist destination in North Sumatra.
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Search and rescue personnel are exerting efforts to search for missing victims (Source: VNA)
