Indonesian authorities locates ship in distress in Sulawesi waters

The Indonesian authorities on Saturday located a ship in distress in Sulawesi waters and denied reports that the ship had capsized.

Media reports said earlier that the ship carrying more than 100 passengers sank off the Indonesian coast.

"The latest information is that a boat from the National Search and Rescue (SAR) agency has been sent from Bajoe to the location. Let's hope that the rescue operation can be conducted safely and successfully," Spokesperson of South and West Sulawesi province police chapter Commissioner Frans Barung Mangera said.

Frans said the ship was transporting passengers from Kolaka seaport to Siwa seaport, and the boat experienced a problem during the trip after it was hit by strong waves which severely damaged the body of the ship.

"Water flooded into the ship after the engine was broken apart, " Frans was quoted as saying by a local media.

He denied the reports that the boat had capsized.

The Marina Baru 2B fiber boat carrying 94 adults and 14 children departed from Kolaka seaport at 11.00 Central Indonesian Time (WITA) on Saturday. The leaking of water was reported at 16. 00 WITA.