Charred passenger ferry sinks near Jakarta port, 1 reporter dies

JAKARTA (Agencies): A charred Indonesian passenger ferry sank as it was being towed back to a port near the capital Sunday with one reporter onboard becoming the dead victim.

Metro TV station reported that Lativi cameraman Suherman was saved by the rescue teams but finally he was dead after being reportedly missing when the ill-fated ferry suddenly sank.

More than a dozen investigators and reporters onboard, El-Shinta radio reported. At least three people were said to be missing.

The Levina I was being towed back to port after catching fire Thursday morning, sending hundreds of passengers jumping into the Java Sea.

"There were about 16 people inside, and we all rushed for our own safety as the ship suddenly tilted and submerged," said Mardianto, a reporter with el-Shinta who goes by one name.