Seven missing after boat capsizes in Indonesia

Jakatrta, Oct 8: At least seven persons went missing after a boat with dozens of people on board sunk in East Java province of Indonesia, an official of disaster agency said on Saturday.

Overloading was blamed for the incident, which took place in Bengawan Solo river in the border of Lamongan and Tuban districts on Friday, Xinhua news agency quoted Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of the disaster management agency, as saying.

Rescuers have evacuated safely 18 people and are searching for seven others, he said. Low visibility in the deep water has hampered the search and rescue operation, Sutopo added.

Boat is a favourite transport means in Indonesia, but lacking safety standards often trigger accidents.

IANS