Dozens of people are missing and one has already been confirmed dead, after a ferry with about 80 people onboard sank Monday, while underway in Lake Toba, in Indonesia’s North Sumatra province, according to data provided by the national disaster agency. An estimated 18 people were rescued.
The ‘Sinar Bangun’ ferry sank in heavy weather at around 5:30 pm (1030 GMT), about a mile from the port of Tigaras, carrying passengers from the lake’s Samosir Island, according to Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPT) spokesman, Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, as quoted by Reuters.
There are 65 people who say their relatives are missing, said Riadil Lubis, head of North Sumatra disaster agency.
Mr. Nugroho added that search and rescue efforts had involved two other ferries and one wooden boat had been hampered by inclement weather conditions in the area on Monday night.
There are no further details on the exact causes of the accident to date. However, international media suggest the vessel was operating illegally with no manifest.
Lake Toba, one of the deepest lakes in the world, is a popular tourist destination in the country. Ferry accidents are common in Indonesia, especially during the Islamic holiday of Eid, when millions make the annual journey by land, sea, and air to their hometowns after the holy fasting month of Ramadan, Reuters reports.
Last week, another boat sank with 43 people onboard, off Makassar on Sulawesi island, resulting in 13 dead, while a speedboat carrying 30 passengers sank off South Sumatra, killing at least two.
