Indonesia says at least 34 died in ferry sinking, search for survivors continues
CGTN
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(Photo: CGTN)

34 bodies have been recovered and 155 survivors rescued from a capsized ferry in waters off central Indonesia, a rescuer said on Wednesday.  

Spokesman of the national search and rescue office Marsudi said the search mission will not stop for the time being since there is still a possibility that more passengers are missing.

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

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

"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, which was 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 with 48 cars and motorcycles in addition to the passengers and crew, Director General for Sea Transports at the Transportation Ministry Agus Purnomo said.

Tuesday's sinking came only a few weeks after an overcrowded ferry sank on Lake Toba, one of the world's deepest volcanic lakes, claiming more than 200 lives.

Indonesia suffers frequent boat sinkings, as basic safety rules are often flouted and vessels overloaded.