Indonesia Mentawai, East Java Boat Capsizes Leave 14 Missing, 2 Dead

Indonesian rescuers are actively searching for 11 people missing after a boat capsized in bad weather off the Mentawai Islands in West Sumatra province. The boat, carrying 18 people including 10 local government officials, was traveling from Sikakap to Tuapejat when it overturned. So far, eight people have been rescued, and two boats along with dozens of rescuers are involved in the search efforts. Such maritime accidents are common in Indonesia, an archipelago of over 17,000 islands, due to rough weather and lax safety standards that often lead to overloaded vessels. Earlier this month, a ferry sank near Bali resulting in 18 deaths and 17 people missing, underscoring the ongoing safety challenges in the region. In a separate incident, a boat capsized off East Java with two fatalities and three missing, highlighting the broader risks of maritime travel in Indonesia.