Ferry sinks off Indonesian island

A ferry carrying more than 200 people has tipped over off the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia, officials say. A spokesman for the Indonesian maritime authorities told the BBC that the ship rolled after being hit by a big wave. Several rescue boats have been deployed at the scene and a search operation is underway. Ferry accidents linked to over-crowding and poor vessel maintenance kill hundreds of passengers in Indonesia each year. Officials said the ferry was travelling from Batam island to Dumai in Riau, Sumatra, when it rolled. Local officials said boats at the scene had rescued a number of people, but more remained missing.

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Ferry sinks off Indonesian island