JAKARTA, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Rescuers deployed a helicopter and several ships with over 100 people in a search and rescue operation for 25 missing people after a ship sank in water off South Sulawesi province in Indonesia, a rescuer said on Sunday.

"We are combing the water in and around the scene through the air today (Sunday). We have also added more personnel and ships in this operation," Isran A, a rescuer who is in charge at the information center of the search and rescue office of South Sulawesi province, told Xinhua over phone.

He said the office has dispatched one helicopter and one ship, and two ships have also been deployed by the navy and police, adding local sailors have also sent their ships in this mission.

However, he said, until now, the operation has not found any of the victims, despite the weather condition being favorable for the movement of the ships and aircraft.

A total of 17 people have been rescued safely, Isran said.

Based on the procedures of operation, he said, the search and rescue mission would still be carried out for seven days.

"But, should we find clues or signals of the presence of the victims, the mission can be extended," he said.

The ship, carrying about 42 people, dived onto the sea floor after being hit by huge waves in the Makassar strait of the province on Thursday, but the rescuers were not notified of the incident until Saturday, according to Wahid D.J. a senior official at the search and rescue office.

The ship suffered an engine failure when it was hit by huge waves, he told Xinhua.

It departed from Paotere harbor in Makassar, capital of the province, and headed to a seaport in Pangkajene district in the province, said the official. Enditem

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