Four bodies found, 71 people rescued as ferry capsizes off Bali
Agencies
Mac 6, 2016 04:05 MYT
Mac 6, 2016 04:05 MYT
Residents watch as rescuers search for survivors at the site where a ferry sank off Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia, Friday, March 4, 2016. The ferry capsized in the straits between the Indonesian islands of Bali and Java. - AP photo
At least four bodies have been recovered by search and rescue teams on Saturday after a ferry capsized between the Indonesian islands of Bali and Java.
The Rafelia 2 was reported to be facing some technical problems in the Bali Strait on Friday, forcing survivors to jump for safety.
However, officials said 71 people were rescued.
The boat was on its way from Gilimanuk port in Bali to Ketapang in East Java when it tilted and started to capsize.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
According to head of the Search and Rescue Agency in East Java, Johan Saptadi, the dead body of a woman still holding her child was also found.
Head of Bali's Search and Rescue Agency, Didi Hamzar, said the only 51 people on board, including 14 crewmenship's listed on board, but Indonesian passenger boats often carry more people.
Boats are a popular and relatively cheap form of transportation in the world's largest archipelago nation, which spans more than 17,000 islands with a population of 256 million.
Sea accidents were said to be common, with safety regulations often poorly enforced.