17 dead after motorboat sinks in bad weather in Indonesia

At least 17 people, including four children, died after a motorboat sank in choppy waters off the Indonesian island of Java, Reuters has quoted government official as saying on Tuesday.

The 10-metre (33 ft) wooden vessel with 57 people on board was hit by high waves off Sumenep in East Java province on Monday, said Tholib, a spokesman for the search and rescue agency.

“Rescue teams saved 39 passengers and are searching for one missing person,” he added.