Tourist boat fire off Indonesia leaves 23 dead

[Luigi]

The vessel was carrying tourists to islands north of the Indonesian capital Jakarta, authorities say.




At least 23 people have been killed and dozens rescued after a blaze ripped through a boat carrying tourists to Indonesian islands.

The craft was heading to islands north of the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, when it caught fire.

Another 17 people were injured, said Ferry Budiharso, a spokesman for the Thousand Island police.

The head of Jakarta's search and rescue agency, Hendra Sudirman, said 98 people had been rescued.

The fire broke out aboard the Zahro Express shortly after it left Muara Angke port in north Jakarta early on Sunday.

The blaze was caused by a short circuit on a power generator on the boat, Mr Budiharso said.

Sea accidents are frequent in Indonesia, a sprawling archipelago, with vessels often overloaded and having too few life jackets on boat.

Tourist boat fire off Indonesia leaves 23 dead

[kingwilly]

I refuse to catch those boats when i head to the 1,000 islands. Instead get gouged by the private boat operators from Ancol, but this is why.

RIP