Eighteen people survived but two others were killed in the longboat mishap, Chief of the Sorong City Office of the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) Sunarto confirmed. Nine of the survivors were rescued by a passing boat, he said. At around 11.00am local time, 11 other passengers were found safe. They were later taken to Samale Salawati village, Raja Ampat district.
The ill-fated longboat met the accident on its way from Semate to Sorong at around 9.00am local time after it was hit by waves.
The longboat had departed from Samale Salawati at around 7.00am local time.
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Translator: Ernes Broning Kakisina/Suharto
Editor: Sri Haryati
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