15 Killed After Traditional Boat Sinks in Southeast Sulawesi

Sulawesi – Fifteen people died after a traditional boat carrying 48 passengers sank in the waters of Central Mawasangka Bay, Central Buton Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, on Monday, according to the search and rescue (SAR) office in Kendari.

A total of 33 passengers on the ferry that sank in Central Mawasangka Bay, Central Buton Regency, Southeast Sulawesi were reported to have survived. And, they have returned to their respective homes. 

"There are 48 passengers in total. The number of dead victims is still the same; 15 people. With the discovery of all passengers on the ship, the search operation was declared complete and closed," said Basarnas Kendari Head Muhammad Arafah, on Monday. 

"All elements involved are returned to their respective units,"

As previously reported, a boat in Central Mawasangka Bay, Central Buton Regency, Southeast Sulawesi reportedly sank on Monday, July 24, 2023, in the early morning.

The boat was carrying passengers from Lanto Village, Central Mawasangka District to Lagili Village, East Mawasangka District.

As information, the incident was also highlighted by several foreign media outlets and said that ferry accidents are not uncommon in Indonesia, which is the world's largest archipelago with more than 17,000 islands. 

"In 2018, 192 people drowned when an overloaded ferry capsized and sank in Lake Toba on the island of Sumatra," a foreign media wrote.