The ship was travelling between the islands of Java and Borneo when it encountered heavy weather and lost contact with its shipping company. Shortly before, the captain had reported that the ship was “listing.” Local authorities later learned that it had capsized.
A total of 243 people were on board and more than 100 have been evacuated. However, 140 are missing and one person has died, according to the local rescue chief.
It is "extremely risky" for the ships in the rescue operation, which have encountered waves of up to 3 metres, to reach the ship.
Maritime accidents are common in Indonesia - an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands that is heavily dependent on boat connections.
