Boat sinks off Bangka, all passengers saved

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 01/26/2009 7:33 PM 

 

A boat carrying 50 passengers from Palembang, South Sumatra to Mentok Bangka, Bangka Belitung, sank on Monday, but, luckily, all passengers were saved.

 

Bangka Belitung Police said Expres Bahari boat number 5B sank at about 3 p.m. on Monday, about one and a half hours into its trip.

 

Police officer Adj. Sr. Comr. Purwoko told Tempointeraktif.com that the boat was leaking and sinking slowly so the passengers had time to prepare themselves to use available safety devices.

 

These passengers were later evacuated by the Kakap ferry heading to Palembang, from where they would be transported to Mentok Bangka using Expres Bahari boat number 8.