Seven rescued, including girl, 7, after Indonesia ferry sinks; search for 20 missing continues
A fishing boat and search teams pulled seven survivors from the sea off South Sulawesi, days after the KM Nurul Salsa sank with 78 aboard. At least 20 remain missing.
The sinking
On Wednesday, the wooden passenger boat KM Nurul Salsa suffered engine failure and sank about 43 nautical miles (79 km) from the port of Benteng on Selayar Island, South Sulawesi. It was carrying 78 passengers and crew, en route from Jampea Island. Local media reported that 47 people were rescued the following day, and one person is confirmed dead.
Days adrift
Five survivors, including a 7-year-old girl, were found Saturday evening by a fishing boat near Matallang Island. They had been clinging to a fish trap and buoyant debris. The group had constructed a makeshift raft from jerry cans and pieces of cork tied with rope, according to Muhammad Arif Anwar, head of the Makassar Search and Rescue Office.
After the ship sank, each of them saved themselves using whatever equipment or makeshift flotation they could find. They rigged together jerry cans and pieces of cork tied up with rope, then climbed on top of them.
The survivors told rescuers they were part of a larger group of 25 people, but strong winds separated them during the three-day ordeal. They survived on a few packets of instant noodles and biscuits.
Additional rescues
On Sunday, a search team located two more survivors, a man and his mother, according to German news outlet Focus. That brought the total number of people rescued from the sea to seven. The five rescued Saturday were taken to Benteng port for health checks and information gathering.
They were taken to the port in Benteng town for health checkups and information gathering.
Search continues
At least 20 people remain missing. Five large ships, a reconnaissance aircraft, and a helicopter are involved in the ongoing search. The Makassar Search and Rescue Office initially reported 74 people aboard, later raising the figure to 78.
Ferry safety in Indonesia
Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, relies heavily on passenger boats. Lax safety standards and overcrowding lead to frequent accidents. Earlier in July, a ferry carrying 65 people sank off Bali, killing at least six and leaving dozens missing.
- KM Nurul Salsa sinks after engine failure with 78 aboard.
- 47 people rescued, one confirmed dead.
- Five survivors found clinging to fish trap, including 7-year-old girl.
- Two more survivors rescued, bringing total to seven.
