Ferry boat fire in Indonesia kills at least six

[News_Editor]

Ferry boat fire in Indonesia kills at least six

2011-01-28 09:50:35 GMT+7 (ICT)

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- A large fire on a passenger ferry boat in Indonesia's Sunda Strait killed at least six people on early Friday morning, police said. The death toll is expected to rise.

There were conflicting reports about the number of people on board the boat, with numbers ranging up to 200. A local police spokesman said at least six bodies had been recovered while 32 others were injured.

The fire broke out around 3 a.m. local time when the ferry was about 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) off the coast of Merak in West Java. By 9.30 a.m. local time, rescue efforts were continuing with reports that dozens could still be trapped inside.

Some of the passengers who escaped the blaze by jumping into the water were reportedly suffering from shock and were resting at a Lake and River Crossing Transportation (ASDP) building, while other victims were transported to Krakatoa Medical Hospital after arriving at Pier 3 in Merak.

Ambulances and some of the family members arrived at the pier as well, awaiting for the victims.

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