"The preliminary data shows that the accident claimed six casualties comprising three children, a nun and two women," the Deputy Regent of East Flores Valen Tukan stated here on Friday.
The ship sank in the Gonzalu Strait, located between East Flores and Adonara Island of East Flores District.
Valen informed Antara over a phone interview that the security officers are still searching for the victims and had rescued at least 30 survivors, who have been hospitalized at the nearest health center.
According to Deputy Regent, several officers led by the Chief of East Flores Resort Police Senior Commissioner Adjunct Dewa Putu Gede Artha are still searching for the victims in the scene.
The incident that claimed 7 casualties is the first such accident that has happened since the ceremony held in the several last years in Reinha Larantuka City.
"The fishing boat named Nelayan Bhakti was full of pilgrims who were observing the Good Friday ceremony to pick up Tuan Meninu statue from Rewindo Coast to Larantuka City," explained a ceremony participant Apriani Kerong.
The Good Friday Ceremony in Larantuka paraded the statue along with tens of boats and thousands of pilgrims from East Nusa Tenggara and other places.
The Nelayan Bhakti boat that carried more than 100 passengers capsized when the ship changed directions.
(UU.B019/INE)
EDITED BY INE.
Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
