A ferry carrying around 850 passengers has sunk in a storm off the Indonesian coast, according to reports.
A ferry carrying around 850 passengers has sunk in a storm off the Indonesian coast, according to reports.
A naval official told local radio the ship was travelling from Semarang in Central Java to the port of Kumai in Kalimantan on the island of Borneo.
A naval official told local radio the ship was travelling from Semarang in Central Java to the port of Kumai in Kalimantan on the island of Borneo.
He said storms and high winds were hampering the rescue effort, and only nine survivors had been found.
He said storms and high winds were hampering the rescue effort, and only nine survivors had been found.
Ships and ferries are a cheap and popular means of transport between the 17,000 islands that make up Indonesia.
Ships and ferries are a cheap and popular means of transport between the 17,000 islands that make up Indonesia.
Correspondents say safety standards are not always enforced, however, and vessels frequently carry more passengers then they are meant to.
Correspondents say safety standards are not always enforced, however, and vessels frequently carry more passengers then they are meant to.
The boat is thought to have sunk about 40 km (24 miles) off Mandalika island, about 300 km (190 miles) north-east of the capital, Jakarta.
The boat is thought to have sunk about 40 km (24 miles) off Mandalika island, about 300 km (190 miles) north-east of the capital, Jakarta.
A helicopter, three naval vessels and a police ship were taking part in the rescue effort, Central Java's Navy commander, Col Yan Simamora, told Elshinta radio.
A helicopter, three naval vessels and a police ship were taking part in the rescue effort, Central Java's Navy commander, Col Yan Simamora, told Elshinta radio.
He said only nine survivors had been found.
He said only nine survivors had been found.
"I'm afraid many have died," he said, adding that heavy rain and waves up to 5 metres (16 ft) high were making rescue work difficult.
"I'm afraid many have died," he said, adding that heavy rain and waves up to 5 metres (16 ft) high were making rescue work difficult.Have you been affected by this incident? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:
