10 dead, 5 missing after boat sinks in Indonesia

By Ainur Rohmah

TUBAN, Indonesia (AA) – At least 10 people were killed and five others remain missing after a wooden boat sank in Indonesia’s northern Riau Islands province Sunday.

A National Disaster Management Agency spokesman told Anadolu Agency that the boat was carrying 17 passengers and crew -- including two children -- from the provincial capital of Tanjung Pinang to Penyengat Island when the vessel capsized.

"The boat sank due to strong winds and huge waves," Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said.

As of Sunday afternoon, rescuers recovered 12 people, 10 of whom were confirmed dead and two others who sustained injuries.

"When the boat capsized and sank, passengers tried to swim and were rescued by boats around them. But some of them could not swim and drowned, dragged by waves," Nugroho said.

More than 200 rescuers -- including some marines -- and 70 boats are still searching for those missing.

"The main obstacle is the fast current," Nugroho added.

Indonesia's waterways serve as a widespread form of transportation in some areas of the archipelago, where accidents resulting from overcrowded boats and lax safety standards are common.