Dozens feared missing after Indonesian ferry sinks

A ship packed with scores of people heading home for the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan sank in central Indonesia, killing at least five passengers. Dozens were feared missing today.

Emergency vessels and local fishermen picked up 117 survivors after the ferry sank near Ambon yesterday and a search continued for additional survivors, said police Lieutenant Tony Sugadra.

But police had no estimate for the number of missing people, because there were no firm reports about the total number of people aboard. Many survivors may have swam ashore.

The ferry sank only 15 minutes after departing Ambon island, while on its way to Masohi on Seram island.

Police arrested the ship’s skipper and six sailors, who claimed the 30 ton wooden boat was carrying 125 passengers and crew, Sugarda said.

But police believe the actual number of people on board the ship was closer to 200, and that overloading may have been a factor in the accident, Sugarda said.

Ambon is both the capital city and main island in the Maluku archipelago, 1,600 miles east of Jakarta.

Shipping accidents are common in Indonesia, a vast archipelago where much travelling is done by boat.