Navy to the rescue of passengers on sunken ferry

JAKARTA - An Indonesian naval vessel rescued scores of survivors yesterday after a ferry carrying 106 people sank in heavy seas in the country's east.

The Navy ship had so far picked up 74 people, one port official, Marthen Manu, said.

The ferry was travelling from Kupang on Indonesia's side of Timor Island to nearby Rote Island when authorities lost contact with it.

There were 86 passengers and 20 crew on board the ferry.

Another port official, Syamsir Siahaan, told El Shinta radio station that helicopters were expected to join the search.

- REUTERS