Rescuers search for 13 missing after speedboat disappears off Indonesia

Indonesian rescuers are searching for a speedboat carrying 11 European tourists and two Indonesian crew members that went missing off Sulawesi, authorities said on July 25.

The vessel left Tanjung Unauna on July 24 for Marisa Port in neighbouring Gorontalo province but failed to arrive. A local tour guide reported the boat missing later that day, prompting an overnight search operation, the Associated Press reports.

“We immediately launched a search mission overnight but until now have not found any signs” of the vessel or those on board, said Heriyanto, head of the Gorontalo Province Search and Rescue Office.

The passengers included nationals of the Czech Republic, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and France.

Dozens of rescuers are searching around 300 square nautical miles of waters along and around Tomini Bay. A thermal-imaging drone and diving equipment are also being used.

Strong winds and waves of up to 2.5 metres have complicated the search, despite forecasts of generally clear weather.

By Sabina Mammadli