The ship was travelling between the islands of Java and Borneo when it encountered rough 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, but according to Indonesia’s Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi, it has not sunk.
A total of 243 people were on board and more than 100 have been evacuated. However, 140 are missing and six people have died, according to the national search and rescue agency.
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.
