Rescuers have pulled survivors from the sea days after a passenger boat sank in Indonesia, but more than a dozen people remain missing as the search continues.
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Key facts
- A passenger boat sank in Indonesia, prompting an ongoing search and rescue operation.
- Survivors were found clinging to a fish trap and floating debris three days after the boat sank, according to Al Jazeera.
- At least five people were initially rescued, with further reports of seven more found alive.
- One of the rescued survivors was a seven-year-old girl.
- Reports indicated at least 18 to 20 people were still missing.
Rescuers in Indonesia have recovered survivors from the sea days after a passenger boat sank, while a search continues for those still unaccounted for, according to Al Jazeera.
The survivors were found clinging to a fish trap and floating debris three days after the vessel went down, Al Jazeera reported. Some were located on an island, while others were still adrift at sea when they were found.
Initial reports said five people had been rescued with at least 20 still missing. Al Jazeera later reported that seven more people had been rescued, reducing the number of those unaccounted for to 18.
Among those brought to safety was a seven-year-old girl, according to Al Jazeera. The passengers had endured several days at sea before being located.
The reports underline the difficulty of the rescue effort, with survivors scattered across the water and nearby land in the days following the sinking. The search for the remaining missing passengers was continuing.
Why it matters
Boat accidents are a recurring hazard in Indonesia, an archipelago where ferries and passenger vessels are a vital form of transport across thousands of islands. The survival of passengers days after a sinking highlights both the risks travellers face and the challenges rescuers confront in reaching people spread over open water.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were rescued after the Indonesia boat sank?
Al Jazeera initially reported five people rescued, and later reported that seven more had been found alive.
How long were the survivors in the water before being rescued?
According to Al Jazeera, some survivors were found clinging to a fish trap and floating debris three days after the boat sank.
Were any children among the survivors?
Yes. Al Jazeera reported that a seven-year-old girl was among the passengers rescued.
Timeline
- Five passengers found drifting days after boat sinks in Indonesia
Al Jazeera: Five passengers, including a seven-year-old girl, were rescued from a passenger boat that sank in Indonesia.
- Five people rescued after Indonesia boat sinks, at least 20 still missing
Al Jazeera: The survivors were found clinging to a fish trap and floating debris at sea three days after the boat sank.
- Seven more people rescued after boat sinks in Indonesia, 18 still missing
Al Jazeera: Some survivors were found on an island, others were clinging to floating debris at sea days after the boat sank.