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Search for ferry survivors resumes in Indonesia

  • Story Highlights
  • NEW: Search resumes after passenger ferry carrying 267 people capsized Sunday
  • NEW: 19 passengers rescued so far; 248 people remain unaccounted for
  • Vessel overturned off Majena, West Sulawesi, after pummeled by waves
  • Teratai Prima ferry left Pare Pare in South Sulawesi on Saturday evening
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From CNN's Kathy Quiano
CNN
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JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNN) -- Search and rescue operations resumed Monday after a passenger ferry carrying 267 people capsized off the coast of Indonesia the day before, authorities said.

Rescue efforts were hampered late Sunday by severe weather including heavy rains and strong winds, according to local officials.

Indonesian military personnel and police joined Red Cross officials in rescue operations on Monday. Two Navy ships were also deployed to join the rescue effort, said port officials.

So far 19 people have been rescued, including 16 passengers, three crew members, according to M. Junaidi, a Sea Traffic Officer at the Majene Port. Meanwhile, 248 people remain unaccounted for.

The Teratai Prima ferry left Pare Pare on Sulawesi island in central Indonesia on Saturday evening for Samarinda, East Kalimantan. The ferry overturned at about 4 a.m. Sunday off the coast of Majena in west Sulawesi after being pummeled by waves as high as 19 feet, said survivors.

Indonesians rely heavily on sea transport because it is the easiest way to navigate throughout the country's 17,000 islands.

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