Dozens still missing after Lake Toba ferry accident
Dozens of people are still unaccounted for nearly two days after a ferry capsized on Indonesia’s Lake Toba.
The vessel capsized on Monday with about 80 on board.
Authorities said 18 were initially rescued and one body was pulled out of the water.
That leaves more than 60 still missing and likely drowned.
More than 100 were reported missing by relatives in the area but it is unclear how many of these were actually on the boat.
"Whether they were all passengers on the boat or not, we don’t know. We haven’t found any new passengers today," transport ministry official Sri Hardianto told the AFP.
More than 300 had joined in the search scouring the vast body of water which forms a huge volcanic crater lake about the size of Singapore.
Lake Toba is a popular North Sumatran resort area and increasingly visited by foreign travellers.
Lake Toba is one of the tourism ministry’s ’10 new Balis’ which are prioritised for expedited tourism development.
It is also one of the world’s deepest lakes.
Authorities said they were unsure if or how many foreign tourists were on the boat which has been suspected of operating illegally.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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