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New search for Jakarta ferry victims

"For the search of victims of the ferry fire, at least five ships are being deployed. The search continues to be focused on the waters east of where the ferry had burnt."

Major Johannes, navy official

Rescuers searching for victims following a deadly ferry fire focused on two separate sites yesterday after the charred vessel sank suddenly with investigators on board.

Flames consumed the Levina I on Thursday, killing at least 42 people, with some 100 still thought missing from the initial disaster.

The listing wreck was towed to a position off Tanjung Priok, north of Jakarta, but sank on Sunday.

A television cameraman died in hospital following the incident. Two investigators and a reporter who were on board are missing.

Navy official Major Johannes, from Tanjung Priok harbor, said at least 44 rescuers from the navy, the search and rescue agency and the port police were trying to locate the three people.

He said four boats had been deployed to assist in the search, which is taking place around 11km northeast of Tanjung Priok.

Speaking about the operation at the site of the original fire, he added: "For the search of victims of the ferry fire, at least five ships are being deployed. The search continues to be focused on the waters east of where the ferry had burnt."

The precise number of people on the ship when it caught fire remains unclear but estimates suggest it was more than 350.

About 250 were rescued, most after jumping into the sea. However, rescuers fear many passengers may have been trapped on the burning ship.

So far 42 bodies have been recovered from the initial tragedy.

The government has already revoked the ferry operator's permit for declaring fewer passengers on its manifest than it was actually carrying.

Police have detained the vessel's skipper and first officer on suspicion of negligence and making false declarations in official documents.

The Tanjung Priok harbormaster has also been suspended. He faces further questioning over possible negligence for allowing the boat to leave without ensuring the number of passengers and the amount of cargo on board matched the manifest.

A recent spate of air, sea and rail accidents in Indonesia has been blamed on the lax enforcement of safety regulations, poor maintenance and a lack of investment in transport infrastructure.

Ferries are a crucial link between the archipelago nation's 17,000 islands and frequently carry more people than officially acknowledged.
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