Indonesia Ferry Sinks in Rough Sea as 129 Passengers Remain Missing

(Indonesia boat accident. Photo by New York Post)

At least six people d!ed and 129 others are missing after a ferry sank in rough seas off Indonesia on Sunday, with survivors describing scenes of chaos as passengers fought for life jackets.

The Virgo Transport 8 was carrying 213 passengers and 30 crew members when it lost contact with its shipping company early Sunday after leaving Surabaya in East Java.

Indonesia's search and rescue agency said six were confirmed d£ad while another 108 have been rescued.

One survivor recalled the moment of panic.

He said many passengers were sleeping when the ship started tilting around 2:00am, after he heard what sounded like metal breaking about five hours into the journey.

With waves towering over two metres high, people woke up screaming and shoving each other to grab life jackets as the vessel tilted heavily to one side.

There was no warning from the crew.

Someone on the ship had to shout to alert others that the ferry was listing.

The survivor, speaking from a stretcher at a health facility in Banjarmasin where survivors were brought, described people climbing onto tables and pushing each other in desperation.

The first rescue ship arrived before nightfall at a pier in Banjarmasin on Borneo island.

Survivors were carried on stretchers into ambulances or wheeled away needing assistance to walk.

Indonesia's Transport Minister said the ship had capsized.

Rescuers had to battle waves up to 2.5 metres high to reach the ferry, using two helicopters and vessels from the navy, police and rescue agency.