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Fears for Indonesia ferry missing Fears for Indonesia ferry missing
(about 5 hours later)
Hopes are fading for about 250 passengers missing after a ferry sank in high seas off central Indonesia.Hopes are fading for about 250 passengers missing after a ferry sank in high seas off central Indonesia.
Aircraft and navy ships were battling rain and high waves to search for survivors from the vessel, which went down early on Sunday.Aircraft and navy ships were battling rain and high waves to search for survivors from the vessel, which went down early on Sunday.
Twenty-two people had been rescued, the transport minister said, but scores of others were still unaccounted for.Twenty-two people had been rescued, the transport minister said, but scores of others were still unaccounted for.
Recent years have seen several ferry accidents in Indonesia. More than 400 people died when a ferry sank in 2006.Recent years have seen several ferry accidents in Indonesia. More than 400 people died when a ferry sank in 2006.
Twenty-four hours on from the disaster, Transport Minister Jusman Syafii Djamal said he was not optimistic of finding more survivors.Twenty-four hours on from the disaster, Transport Minister Jusman Syafii Djamal said he was not optimistic of finding more survivors.
"It seems that due to the weather conditions the chance is little, but we still hope," he said."It seems that due to the weather conditions the chance is little, but we still hope," he said.
'Swim in the dark''Swim in the dark'
The Teratai Prima ferry was making an overnight journey from Pare Pare in South Sulawesi to Samarinda in East Kalimantan when it sank just before dawn on Sunday.The Teratai Prima ferry was making an overnight journey from Pare Pare in South Sulawesi to Samarinda in East Kalimantan when it sank just before dawn on Sunday.
Desperate relatives wait for news
Survivors said high waves flipped the ferry over. Most passengers were asleep and had little time to react.Survivors said high waves flipped the ferry over. Most passengers were asleep and had little time to react.
"I felt that the ferry was listing to the left, then suddenly it turned upside down," said 29-year-old Yulianus Mangande, who was picked up by fishermen."I felt that the ferry was listing to the left, then suddenly it turned upside down," said 29-year-old Yulianus Mangande, who was picked up by fishermen.
"I had to swim in the dark in heavy seas until the morning.""I had to swim in the dark in heavy seas until the morning."
One survivor said he had scrambled into a life raft after clinging to a piece of wood.One survivor said he had scrambled into a life raft after clinging to a piece of wood.
"I grabbed my son on my back and swam to a piece of wood, but my son disappeared after being hit by a big wave," said Daeng Gassing, whose father-in-law was also missing."I grabbed my son on my back and swam to a piece of wood, but my son disappeared after being hit by a big wave," said Daeng Gassing, whose father-in-law was also missing.
Eighteen passengers and four crew members had been found alive so far, the transport minister said. RECENT MARITIME DISASTERS 11 July 2007: Passenger ship with 70 on board sinks off eastern Indonesia 22 Feb 2007: At least 42 die as ferry catches fire30 Dec 2006: More than 400 lost as ferry sinks between Borneo and Java7 July 2005: About 200 die as ferry sinks off eastern IndonesiaEighteen passengers and four crew members had been found alive so far, the transport minister said. RECENT MARITIME DISASTERS 11 July 2007: Passenger ship with 70 on board sinks off eastern Indonesia 22 Feb 2007: At least 42 die as ferry catches fire30 Dec 2006: More than 400 lost as ferry sinks between Borneo and Java7 July 2005: About 200 die as ferry sinks off eastern Indonesia
About 250 passengers and 17 crew were thought to be on board the Teratai Prima - but tickets are frequently oversold for ferries in Indonesia.About 250 passengers and 17 crew were thought to be on board the Teratai Prima - but tickets are frequently oversold for ferries in Indonesia.
High seas were hampering the search for more survivors, a navy spokesman said.High seas were hampering the search for more survivors, a navy spokesman said.
Mr Djamal blamed the accident on the bad weather. But he defended the vessel's decision to leave port.Mr Djamal blamed the accident on the bad weather. But he defended the vessel's decision to leave port.
"The ferry decided to sail as the conditions at the time were good," AFP news agency quoted him as saying."The ferry decided to sail as the conditions at the time were good," AFP news agency quoted him as saying.
Indonesia relies heavily on ferry services to connect the main islands in the archipelago, but accidents are common.Indonesia relies heavily on ferry services to connect the main islands in the archipelago, but accidents are common.
In December 2006, a ferry carrying more than 600 people sank while on a journey from Borneo to Java. The majority of its passengers were never found.In December 2006, a ferry carrying more than 600 people sank while on a journey from Borneo to Java. The majority of its passengers were never found.
Months later, at least 42 people were killed when a fire broke out aboard a ferry from Jakarta to Bangka island off Sumatra.Months later, at least 42 people were killed when a fire broke out aboard a ferry from Jakarta to Bangka island off Sumatra.