34 bodies recovered after Indonesia's ferry sinking as search continues

JAKARTA –Rescuers have recovered 34 bodies and rescued 155 survivors after a ferry capsized in waters off central Indonesia, a rescuer said on Wednesday. 

Spokesman of national search and rescue office Marsudi said the search mission will not stop for the time being since there is still a possibility of any victims remaining missing. 

According to the national and disaster management agency, the total number of people on board the ill-fated ship was 189. 

"There is still a possibility that other victims were not recorded in the manifest. We could not be too certain with the real figure. Sometimes the real number of the passengers is more than those recorded," Marsudi told Xinhua. 

"The search and rescue for the victims will be consistently undertaken for a seven-day period which is in line with the official procedure," he noted. 

Ferry KMP Lestari Maju, heading to Selayar island, went down at 14:30 p.m. local time in the waters of Selayar of South Sulawesi province on Tuesday, just 300 meters away from a sea port in the island, according to the national disaster management agency. 

The vessel was also loaded by 48 cars and motorcycles in addition to the passengers and crews, Director General for Sea Transports at the Transportation Ministry Agus Purnomo told Xinhua. 

Taking a journey with a ship or boat is a favorite way of transportation in the vast archipelago country. However, lack safety standards have often triggered sea incidents. 

The tragic incident happened days following a deadly sinking of an alleged overloaded boat on Lake Toba of North Sumatra province, which has killed at least 4 people and left nearly 200 others missing. Enditem 
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