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11 missing after boat capsizes in western Indonesia

Boats and ferries are regular modes of transport in Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, and accidents are relatively common due to bad weather as well as lax safety standards that often allow vessels to be overloaded.

Hanoi (VNA) – At least 11 people are missing after a boat capsized in bad weather off the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia's West Sumatra province, the local search and rescue agency announced on July 15.

The incident occurred at around 11:am on July 14 when the boat was travelling around the Mentawai Islands. Rescuers said seven people had been rescued after the incident.

Boats and ferries are regular modes of transport in Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, and accidents are relatively common due to bad weather as well as lax safety standards that often allow vessels to be overloaded.

Most recently, on July 3, a ferry sank off the coast of the popular tourist island of Bali, leaving at least 18 people dead./.

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