At least 11 dead after Indonesian ferryboat capsizes near Sumatra Island

   April 28, 2023 ,   Accidents

Badan Nasional Pencarian dan Pertolongan (Indonesia's national search and rescue agency) reported that the ferryboat Evelyn Calista 01 capsized off Sumatra island's eastern coast. The accident resulted in the deaths of at least 11 people and 9 are still missing.

The ship, carrying 72 passengers plus 6 crew) traveled to Tanjung Pinang Island (near Singapore) when it hit a log, according to officials.

Rescue efforts have resulted in the recovery of 11 bodies, mostly women and children, while 58 people have been rescued, many of whom were unconscious after spending hours in choppy waters.

Footage from local television stations showed individuals standing on an overturned vessel attempting to reach a fishing boat full of survivors.

The passenger ferry had set sail from Tembilahan Town (Indragiri Hilir Regency, Riau Province) bound for Tanjung Pinang (Bintan Island) - a distance of ~200 km.

The accident occurred on Thursday afternoon, April 27th.