Ship Sinks, Hundreds of Passengers Missing

VIVAnews - Teratai Prima ship with about 300 passengers sank in the Majene, West Sulawesi, Sunday, Jan 11.

Chief of Majene Police Department Adjutant Chief Commissioner Suyamto verified the story as VIVAnews asked for confirmation. "There is indeed a shipwreck in Majene waters. For the time being, only 18 survive out of 300 passengers," Suyamto said, on Sunday, Jan 11.

The survivors were rescued by local fishermen and evacuated to Kelurahan Tanangang, near the capital of Majene Regency. "At that time, there were several fishermen who happened to go fishing around 10 miles off the coast. They saw people on a lifeboat," said Suyamto. 

Suyamto went on to say that according to some victims the incident occurred around 4 am of Eastern Indonesia Time. It was raining lightly at that time, and the waves were quitae low. However, a strong gust of wind suddenly blew the ship. Not long after, the ship shook and started to sink.

"The passengers panicked and jumped into the sea. Luckily, I managed to reach a lifeboat," said Syaharuddin, one of the survivors.

In addition, today, Jan 12, the rescue team found another 4 survivors. Three passengers and one member of the ship's crew.

Terrible weather has hampered search and rescue efforts. The team can only search around the coast, hoping that survivors would drift ashore.
 

Coverage by: Zeena/Makassar
Translated by: Bonardo Maulana Wahono