Head of Emergency Response and Logistics of Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) of Tuban Asep said here, Friday, that the eight students were among 25 students who were on board the boat.
The students departed from their school, an Islamic boarding school in Langitan Wadang, Tuban, to visit Babat Market, located in neighboring Lamongan District, by boat, intending to cruise along Javas longest river.
"The boat capsized during the trip from the Islamic boarding school to Babat Market. It might have been caused by overloading," Asep suggested.
Seventeen students managed to escape the strong current of Bengawan Solo River, while the other eight are still missing.
The BPBD of Tuban is conducting a search operation assisted by the search and rescue team and locals.
The eight missing students have been identified as Ahmad Umar (12), Abdullah Umar (15), M Barikli Amri (12), M. Lujianidani (13), M. Muksin (16), Khabib Rizki (15), Mambrur (18), and Afiq Fadhil (19). (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016