02 February 2006 Eight feared dead after ferry capsizes
A number of people are feared dead after a boat sank off the coast of eastern Indonesia on Wednesday.
Over 100 survivors have been rescued from the water, although rescue teams are still searching for another 47 people. Eight people are thought to have drowned in the accident.
The boat was travelling between the port of Kapung to Rote island when it lost radio contact with the shore.
After hitting rough seas the ferry attempted to turn back to Kapung, but its engine died and high waves managed to capsize the boat.
"So far, 113 people have been rescued alive," Kupang port official Sinta told Associated Press.
"Rescuers are still searching for at least another 47 people."
Navy vessels and an air force plane are searching for survivors, although it is unclear as to how many people the ferry was carrying; the ferry's manifest showed 102 passengers and crew were on the boat, however, overcrowding is common on Indonesian boats, leading to a number of similar incidents in recent years.
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