The search and rescue force is searching for victims (Source: EPA/VNA)Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian authorities said on January 1 that the fire of the ZahroExpress ferry in the waters off North Jakarta in the morning of the first dayof the New Year was likely be triggered by fire from its engine.
The fire killed atleast 23 people and injured 32, who have been moved to hospitals in North Jakarta.
Officials at the local rescue and firefighting agency said a cloud of smokeappeared in the cabin area and then spread to the whole ferry.
Meanwhile, awitness said fire appeared on the ferry only 15 minutes after it left the MuaraAngke port, north of Jakarta.
The policearrested the captain to interrogate the number of passengers listed as well asthe legitimacy of the ferry.
Zahro Express,partly made of wood and capable of carrying 200 passengers. At the time offire, the ferry was carrying 248 people, according to Jakarta’s search andrescue agency.
With more than17,000 islands, ferries and vessels are common transport vehicles in Indonesiabut loose safety regulations have led to many waterway accidents.-VNA
