Dozens of bodies found in Indonesian waters

At least 30 bodies were brought to shore by rescuers on Wednesday after a vessel sank off the coast of Prigi in East Java.

"There are still many bodies scattered and floating on the waters. We cannot tell you how many exactly," said East Java search and rescue agency chief Sutrisno, who added that the hopes of finding more survivors were dwindling

At least 47 people have been rescued since the fiberglass vessel, which had a capacity of 100, sank on Saturday. It was holding some 250 migrants from mainly Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran.

Shock and exhaustion

Many of the survivors, including two Indonesian crew members, have been unable to speak coherently out of shock and exhaustion. Some clung to wreckage for days in the violent and shark-infested seas before being rescued by a passing boat.

Those who were able to talk said that there was little safety equipment on board the ship and passengers and crew members had to fight for about 25 life jackets. The boat was apparently heading for Australia's Christmas Island, which is closer to Indonesia than Australia, and is a preferred destination for people smugglers.

"We are chasing people-smuggling suspects," Ari Dono Sukmanto, police chief for general crimes, told AFP. "Migrants have told us that several people are involved in the case. They are part of a syndicate involving Indonesian and foreign people-smugglers."

Indonesia has also asked Australia for help in the investigations.

Author: Anne Thomas (AFP, dpa)
Editor: Sarah Berning