JAKARTA, Feb 11 (NNN-ANTARA) – A speedboat sank in the waters off Indonesia’s North Kalimantan province yesterday, leaving one person missing and 14 others evacuated, a senior rescuer said.
The incident occurred at midday, in the waters of Bulungan Regency, when the speedboat, Iksa Express, was passing through the area, according to Syahril, head of the provincial search and rescue office.
“One person is missing, and as many as 14 people have been evacuated by rescuers and other boats passing by,” he said, adding that, several other people on board survived the incident.
Syahril said, a team of local rescuers had been deployed to the scene, to search for and rescue the missing person. Soldiers, policemen, personnel from the local disaster management and mitigation agency, as well as, volunteers, also participated in the mission.
According to the local search and rescue office, huge waves struck the speedboat as it was passing through the regency.
The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency has frequently issued warnings about extreme weather, which could potentially trigger huge waves, strong winds, and floods.– NNN-ANTARA
