73 rescued, 43 missing, after ship sinks off Sumatra

Rescue vessels picked up 73 people from a ship that sank off Sumatra Island today, but were still searching for at least 43 people still missing.

The accident occurred around 40 miles off the port of Sibolga on western Sumatra, said navy spokesman Lt. Col. Jaka Sentosa.

“The information we have received is that the boat sprang a leak and that the weather was very bad,” he said.

He said two navy vessels dispatched to the scene and a passing freighter picked up 73 survivors, but that 43 others were still unaccounted for.

He said at least three foreigners were believed to be on the boat, which was heading to the island of Nias, a popular spot for foreign surfers.