Jakarta, Nov 1 (IANS) At least seven migrants — reportedly from Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan — died Tuesday, while 14 others were missing after their boat sank off the coast of Indonesia, police said.
The vessel with 70 people on board sank off West Java, Xinhua reported.
Leaks, overloading and poor weather conditions have been blamed for the accident, a police official said.
Among the dead were two girls and four women. A total of 49 people have been rescued.
The owner and crew of the boat have been detained by police.
Officials said the boat was probably heading to Australia.
Indonesia has been a transit point for quite some time for illegal migrants from the Middle East who move to Australia.
Jakarta, Nov 1 (IANS) At least seven migrants — reportedly from Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan — died Tuesday, while 14 others were missing after their boat sank off the coast of Indonesia, police said.
The vessel with 70 people on board sank off West Java, Xinhua reported.
Leaks, overloading and poor weather conditions have been blamed for the accident, a police official said.
Among the dead were two girls and four women. A total of 49 people have been rescued.
The owner and crew of the boat have been detained by police.
Officials said the boat was probably heading to Australia.
Indonesia has been a transit point for quite some time for illegal migrants from the Middle East who move to Australia.
