The secretary of the Maluku Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Kilfy Wakanno, confirmed here on Saturday evening that the search had been stopped with five bodies of the nine missing passengers had been found.
"We have carried out the search efforts up to the deadline which actually fell on Friday but had been extended until today," he said.
The four bodies of the victims that have not been found belong to Mrs Epi Siwalette, Almendo Pesireron, Mrs Uling Poseratu and Andre Pariama.
Kilfy said the search had been done up to Saparua and Nusalut islands in the sub-district of Leihitu on the island of Ambon, the front part of Huamual in Piru, the capital of the district of Seram Bagian Barat but no sign had been found that could lead to finding their bodies.
Inarrissa carried 16 passengers and four crew members when it capsized on its way from Tulehu port on the island of Ambon to Kamariang on the island of Seram after being hit by huge waves and strong winds.
Eleven passengers including the skipper were saved by villagers from Kailolo and Pelauw on the island of Haruku in Central Maluku on the location of the mishap in the Pombo island waters.
(Uu.H-YH/HAJM)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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