Over 20 killed on Indonesia ferry

At least 23 people have been killed after a ferry carrying wedding guests capsized in rough seas northeast of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

Local officials said the boat was carrying around 300 people, some of whom are still missing, when it overturned on Thursday morning.

The tragedy has been blamed on strong winds and overcrowding on the boat.

Indonesia is the world's largest island archipelago and accidents such as this happen fairly regularly.

Nearly 500 people died when an overcrowded ferry sank in the Moluccas in June 2000, in the worst such disaster in recent years.

Powerful gusts

The ferry involved in the latest incident, named Beringin Jaya, was travelling between the remote islands of Salibabu and Kabaruang, where many passengers were due to attend a wedding.

The wooden vessel was designed to carry just 50 people, but officials said it became overcrowded, with many people jumping on even after the ticket office was closed.

The ferry was blown over by powerful gusts just 20 km (12 miles) before reaching Kabaruang.

A search operation for the missing is being hampered by rough seas.