21 Found Dead After Boat Capsized: Local Military

Sukabumi, W Java (Antara) - Twenty-one people have been found dead after a boat carrying 80 illegal immigrants capsized in the Cianjur-Sukabumi border waters, reported Tegalbuleud sub-district military chief Captain Jono. "According to reports that we received, the boat capsized in the waters in Cianjur and 21 had been found dead, while 25 others were safe," he told newsmen here on Friday. He said all of the dead were foreigners believed to have been crossing to Christmas Island when the boat sunk. Jono said the skipper of the boat was believed to have fled before the boat sank, and the crew remains unaccounted for. He said the illegal immigrants were from Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and Iraq. "According to information, they left from Jakarta five days ago and their boat was believed to have been hit and broken by big waves at 9 am," he said. Further, the chief of Sukabumi's Search And Rescue service, Okih Fafri, said he had not received reports of bodies having been found in the region's waters. "However, we have prepared equipment in case we are needed to help evacuate victims," he said. (*)