Ship disaster: 15 dead, many missing

It was announced that 15 people were killed and 19 people missing as a result of the ship carrying passengers over capacity capsizing off the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

The head of the local search and rescue agency, Muhammad Arafah, said the boat, which capsized just after midnight, was en route from the town of Lanto to the town of Lagili in the Buton Central region of southeast Sulawesi.

Stating that the passenger ship in question capsized because it was carrying passengers beyond its capacity, Arafah said 15 people on the ship were killed and 19 people were missing. Arafah noted that rescue teams have rescued 6 people so far and the search for 19 missing people continues.

It was claimed that there were 40 people on the 20-person wooden boat. (AA)