Police detain captain in Indonesia ferry disaster

SIMALUNGUN (AFP) — The captain of an overloaded Indonesian ferry that sank into the depths of Sumatra’s Lake Toba has been detained by police for questioning over the deadly disaster, authorities said yesterday.

He was among just 18 people rescued after the vessel capsized and sank Monday afternoon at the picturesque volcanic lake, a popular tourist destination.

Three passengers have been confirmed dead.

But official estimates yesterday morning listed 193 others — including children — as missing, raising fears the sinking could be one of Indonesia’s deadliest maritime disasters.

The traditional wooden boat is believed to have been operating illegally with no manifest or passenger tickets so officials have struggled to pinpoint the exact number of passengers.

They have relied on reports from survivors and the families of missing relatives who may have been on the doomed vessel.

The boat could have been carrying five times the number of passengers it was built to hold, along with dozens of motorcycles, officials have said.

Its captain, identified as Tua Sagala, is also the vessel’s owner, police said.

“The captain of the boat is now with the police,” national police spokesman Yusri Yunus said yesterday.

“But we haven’t questioned him yet because he is still traumatized,” Yunus added.