Seven Passengers Of Longboat Still Missing In Maluku

Ternate, North Maluku, Sept 16 (Antara) - Seven passengers of ill fated longboat that capsized on Sunday in the sea off Sanana island in the regency of Sula Islands , North Maluku, were still missing. Sula police chief Adj. Sr Comr Hadi Wiyono said a rescue team using 8 speedboats is still searching for the missing passengers in locations near the place where the ill fated boat had met the accident. The longboat with 35 people on board including the captain Bahri Lesi sank on its way from Mangole to Sanana,leaving 14 people dead , seven missing and 14 other safe. The seven missing passengers are Putri Pora, Givar Pora, Rifaldi Pora, Julfikar Pora, Buryanid Pora and Reva Seknun all from Mangole. Police are still investigating the causes of the accident, but it was believed the reason was being overloaded. Beside the 35 passengers the longboat also carried 10 sacks of copra, Hadi said. He said police had not named Bahri Lesi as a suspect as witnesses among other survivors have yet to be questioned. Earlier, North Maluku police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Hendri Badar said the longboat sank after being hit by big waves and strong current. The weather was bad with strong winds in the area when the accident occurred around 1 mile from the village of Bajo in the island of Sanana.