UCA News
Contribute

Boat capsizes during Indonesian Holy Week procession

Seven pilgrims die, more missing after Good Friday tragedy
Boat capsizes during Indonesian Holy Week procession

Boats overloaded with Christian pilgrims participate in a sea procession before the disaster on Good Friday (picture: AFP Photo)

Published: April 19, 2014 05:41 AM GMT
Updated: April 20, 2014 04:55 PM GMT

Seven pilgrims participating in a traditional sea procession on Good Friday were drowned and four others remain missing after a boat sank off the Sempit Ujung Aro Strait in Larantuka, East Flores district, in East Nusa Tenggara province.

“The dead include three children and four adults,” Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesperson of the National Disaster Management Agency (BPBN), said in a statement on Friday.

Nugroho said overcrowding on the boat and rough seas contributed to the sinking.

“Passengers screamed when the boat began to sink. They jumped into the rough sea,” he said.

Paulus Igo Groda, head of the district’s Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), said that in addition to those who perished, 69 other pilgrims were injured or remain missing.

“Thirty-three people are now hospitalized in the state-run hospital in the district, and 23 people have gone back to their homes after being treated in the hospital,” he said, adding that two people returned directly to their homes after the incident and four others are still missing.

“The search for the missing people continues today. The rescue team includes police and military personnel. About 34 people are involved in this effort,” Groda told ucanews.com on Saturday.

He added that the search would be conducted for three days. “After that, we will do a review and decide whether we need to continue or stop the search. It depends on the sea situation.”

The sea procession is part of a 500-year-old tradition of Semana Santa (Holy Week), during which the procession carries the Tuan Menino, or infant Jesus statue.

Semana Santa attracts thousands of pilgrims from various faiths each year to Indonesia.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia