7 dead, 27 missing as Indonesian ferry sinks

Jakarta: A ferry sank in a storm in remote eastern Indonesia, killing at least seven people and leaving 27 missing, a port official said Monday.

The 13 metre (42-foot) speed boat sank Wednesday in a storm off the Aru islands, about 3,000 kilometers (1,875 miles) east of the capital, Jakarta. More than 20 onboard were Chinese workers, the state news agency Antara reported.

The boat was carrying 35 crew and passengers on an inter-island trip when it capsized in high waves, port head Billy Picarima said Monday.

A Chinese passenger was rescued by fishermen shortly after the accident, first reported by authorities Sunday.

The boat's captain reportedly ignored a storm warning, but government transportation authorities could not be reached for comment Monday.

Picarima said rescuers recovered seven bodies and continued to search for the missing.

Boats are a popular and cheap means of transport in Indonesia, the world's largest archipelagic nation. Safety regulations are rarely enforced.