JAKARTA, March 30 (Xinhua) -- A motor vessel, named Nazila 05, sank in the northern waters of Taliabu Island in Indonesia's North Maluku province, leaving 27 passengers missing, the Palu Search and Rescue Office reported on Monday.

The incident was first reported by the boat owner at around 10 a.m. local time, prompting authorities to launch a search and rescue operation, said Muh Rizal, head of the Palu Search and Rescue Office, in a written statement.

"Based on the report, the vessel departed from Taliabu Island to Kema village on Sunday at 6 p.m. local time," Rizal told Xinhua. "At around 4 a.m. local time, the captain reported that Nazila 05 had sunk. All crew members were able to conduct a self-evacuation using a long boat, but their whereabouts remain unknown," he said.

He added that further developments regarding the search and rescue operation would be delivered in the next report.