JAKARTA, July 6 (NNN-ANTARA) – Two people were killed and seven others went missing, as a ship went down in waters off East Nusa Tenggara province, in the central part of Indonesia on Sunday, a top rescuer said.
The ship, named KM Kasih 25, carrying 28 people, sank in Fakuafu Strait, after departing from a sea port in the province’s capital of Kupang, Head of the Provincial Search and Rescue Office, Emy Freezer said, the ship was heading to Rote Ndao district of the province.
“We suspect huge waves to be the cause of the accident. But the National Transport Safety Committee will carry out an investigation,” he said.
A search and rescue operation has been undertaken and three vessels, as well as, scores of personnel from the local search and rescue office staged the mission, said Freezer.
As night fell, the mission was halted and resumes this morning, he cited.
Previously, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency warned of extreme weather, in the waters off the province within the next three days, barring ships of medium and small sizes from sailing.
“Indeed, the wind has been blowing strongly here, along with tidal waves with height of up to four metres,” he said.– NNN-ANTARA
