10 killed as boat sinks in Indonesia’s Java Sea

JAKARTA - At least 10 people were killed, 17 rescued and an unspecified number reported missing after a small boat capsized on the sea off Indonesia’s main island of Java Monday morning, officials said.

The accident took place at about 10 a.m. (0300 GMT) when a small wooden boat with 30 people overturned in the Java Sea off the northern coast of central Java district of Pemalang, about 300 km east of Jakarta, police and health officials said.

‘We have so far received 10 bodies and 17 survivors from the accident,’ said Vita, a nurse at Pemalang’s M Ashari general hospital, who like many Indonesians goes only by one name.

She said reports from the beach areas indicated that an unspecific number of people were still missing and feared drowned.

Rescue workers, comprising navy police officers and fishermen, were searching for possible survivor.

Witnesses told the Jakarta-based Elshinta private radio that the accident occurred because the boat, which was only allowed to carry up to 10 people, was packed with around 30, including several

children on an outing to mark the Islamic New Year.

The boat overturned after a huge wave hit at about 200 metres from the beach area, sending passengers into the rough seas.