A handout photo made available by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) shows rescuers searching for victims of a sunken passenger boat in the waters off Muna Island, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, 24 July 2023. EFE/EPA/BASARNAS / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

A handout photo made available by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) shows rescuers searching for victims of a sunken passenger boat in the waters off Muna Island, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, 24 July 2023. EFE/EPA/BASARNAS / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

At least 15 dead, 19 missing after ferry sinks in central Indonesia

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Jakarta, July 24 (EFE).- At least 15 people have died and 19 are missing after a ferry sank off Indonesia’s central island of Sulawesi, authorities said Monday.

A handout photo made available by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) shows rescuers and local residents searching for victims of a sunken passenger boat in the waters off Muna Island, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, 24 July 2023. EFE/EPA/BASARNAS / HANDOUT BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

The boat, carrying about 40 people, sank around midnight on Sunday while crossing from Lanto village to Lagili village in the province of Southeast Sulawesi.

A handout photo made available by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) shows rescuers checking coordinates as they search for victims of a sunken passenger boat in the waters off Muna Island, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, 24 July 2023. EFE/EPA/BASARNAS / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

Six people were rescued alive and an operation was launched with boats and divers to search for those missing, local search and rescue agency head Muhammad Arafah said.

A handout photo made available by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) shows rescuers preparing for a search and rescue mission for victims of a sunken passenger boat in the waters off Muna Island, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, 24 July 2023. EFE/EPA/BASARNAS / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

Maritime accidents are common in Indonesia due to poor infrastructure, overloading of boats with people and cargo, lax enforcement of safety regulations and inclement weather.

A handout photo made available by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) shows rescuers and local residents searching for victims of a sunken passenger boat in the waters off Muna Island, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, 24 July 2023. EFE/EPA/BASARNAS / HANDOUT BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

Boats are one of the main modes of transportation in the Indonesian archipelago of more than 17,000 islands and a population of over 270 million.

A handout photo made available by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) shows rescuers checking coordinates as they search for victims of a sunken passenger boat in the waters off Muna Island, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, 24 July 2023. EFE/EPA/BASARNAS / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

In 2018, at least 160 people died in the sinking of an overloaded ferry in Lake Toba, Sumatra. EFE

A handout photo made available by the Indonesian National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) shows rescuers preparing for a search and rescue mission for victims of a sunken passenger boat in the waters off Muna Island, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, 24 July 2023. EFE/EPA/BASARNAS / HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

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