Business Standard

Death toll hits 29 in Indonesia boat sinking

Image

AP Jakarta
The death toll in the sinking of a boat carrying asylum seekers off Indonesia's coast has risen to 29, while dozens more are still missing.

The boat, believed to be carrying about 100 people, capsized Friday off West Java after being hit by high waves.

A local police chief, Capt. Warsono, says rescuers found eight bodies today.

Warsono says the number of survivors in the incident increased to 35, but he did not elaborate. Like many Indonesians, he uses a single name.

The boat, which was carrying asylum seekers from Lebanon, Pakistan and Iraq, was headed for Australia's Christmas Island. It sank hours after leaving Sukabumi early Friday.
 

Scores of asylum seekers from war-torn countries use Indonesia as a transit point every year.

Don't miss the most important news and views of the day. Get them on our Telegram channel

First Published: Sep 29 2013 | 10:20 PM IST

Explore News