The number of deaths in Indonesia' s burned vessel serving from Merak port in Banten province to Bakauheni port in Lampung province has risen to 17. At least 16 were seriously injured and treated in Krakatau Steel hospital in Cilegon, Merak, local TV reported in Jakarta on Friday.

The rescue teams were reportedly engaging seven vessels to evacuate 103 passengers who were still trapped in the ship that was engulfed by fire. It carried more than 240 people when the fire caught the ship, the Metro TV reported.

At least 99 passengers were already evacuated by the rescue team, many of whom were treated in Krakatau Steel hospital.

The vessel that serves ferry transport linking Indonesia's two major economies islands was burned on 3.50 a.m. local time. The fire allegedly came from cigar butt thrown by the driver of bus or trucks placed in the vessel's lower deck.

Go to Forum >>0 Comments