Fears over sunk Indonesian ferry

More than 100 people are missing, feared dead, after a ferry capsized off the coast of south-east Indonesia.

The ship, the Digoel, reportedly sank in rough seas hours after leaving Merauke, in the province of Papua, on its way to the town of Tanah Merah.

The ferry's manifest said it was carrying 50 people, but an official told the Jakarta Post that a survivor said some 200 people were on board.

So far, only 15 people - two crewmen and 13 passengers - have been found.

Confusion

Sumpeno Juono of the local search and rescue agency told the Associated Press news agency that the ferry left Merauke - 3,800km (2360 miles) east of the capital, Jakarta - carrying vehicles, heavy equipment and diesel oil.

He said the ship, which sank rapidly on Thursday, did not have any safety equipment.

It is unclear how many passengers were on board the ferry.

Mr Juono said he believed "the number of missing passengers could reach almost 200".

Rescue operations were being hampered by heavy rains and 4m-high (13ft) waves, he added.