The Azerbaijan State News Agency

WORLD

217 missing as Indonesia ferry sinks

19.12.2011 [13:54]
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Baku, December 19 (AZERTAC). At least 217 people are missing, and possibly scores more, after an overcrowded boat packed with illegal immigrants heading for Australia sank in heavy seas off the coast of east Java in Indonesia, authorities said today.

Many of the passengers on the wooden vessel are believed to be economic migrants from countries including Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan. Indonesia is a transit point for illegal immigrants from the Middle East who cross the Indian Ocean in search of a better life in Australia.

Authorities gave differing accounts of the number of people missing and the potential casualty toll.

Sahrul Arifin, head of emergency and logistics at the East Java Disaster Mitigation Centre, said only 76 people of 380 people on board had been rescued.

The boat was wrecked in strong seas about 90 km (55 miles) out to sea on Saturday night, officials said.