One arrested over fatal ferry sinking in Indonesia

Indonesian authorities have arrested one individual in connection with an incident earlier this month wherein seven people died after a passenger ferry capsized and sank off Tanjung Margeta in Alor Regency.

Local police took the suspect into custody after testimonies by survivors and other witnesses indicated his culpability in the June 15 sinking of Nusa Kenari 02.

The arresting authorities have not disclosed the suspect’s identity or whether he was among the ferry’s four crewmembers, all of whom are being investigated in connection with the incident.

Nusa Kenari 02 was transporting 48 passengers and an undetermined quantity of construction materials and other dry goods from Kalabahi to Pureman when strong waves reportedly caused it to capsize at around 05:00 local time on June 15.

An official of the country’s Basarnas search and rescue (SAR) agency said that the captain, one other crewmember, and 18 passengers had managed to jump into the water and swim to shore before the vessel sank. The remaining survivors were picked up out of the water by responding SAR personnel.