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Ferry carrying 700 people burned down in Indonesia

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-18 19:11

JAKARTA  -- A ferry carrying more than 700 passengers was burned down in a river in Cental Kalimantan province, Indonesia on Sunday, hundreds of passengers jumped into the river, local Metro TV reported.  

The accident occurred at midday when the ship was passing a river in Waringin Timur district of the province, the report said.

An eyes witness said that hundreds of passengers were suffering from broken bones and serious injuries after jumping from the ship, the report added.

The report said that so far 10 passengers have already been rescued.

The ship was on route from Surabaya, the capital of East Java province, to the Central Kalimantan province.

The police chief of the district who only gave his name as Jihartono told the television that the fire started from the second floor, but the cause was under investigation.

The number of passengers aboard the ferry stands at around 712 people, but there could be more, he said.

Rescue teams along with officials were searching for the passengers, he said.