Belaga express boat accident: Names of missing passengers revealed

The search and rescue team for the express boat accident in Belaga has found 11 more survivors, bringing the total number of survivors to 192 people.

It is believed that there may be 11 to 12 passengers still missing.

According to Belaga OCPD, DSP Bakar Sebau, the actual number of passengers onboard the express boat could not be determined as no passenger manifest was made available to the police yet.

Bakar said the figure that was available yesterday was based on interviews with the boat operator and survivors.

In a Bernama report, the police revealed the list of 11 missing passengers.

The missing passengers comprise nine men and two women, all aged between 20 and 40's. They are: Anuar Margaret, Akong Empam, Handry Linggi, Mejerin Bantan (female), Ricky Sunus, Robert Angih, Roslin Jati (female), Simon Patrick, Tommy Ubing, Welson Lat, Wesly Belaja Nelson

The accident, which is believed to be one of the worst in recent, happened after the boat crashed onto rock in the Rajang River about 40 minutes of leaving Belaga town.

The express boat was on its way to Kapit and Sibu.

To make matters worse, the boat was carrying excessive passengers.

The express boat - which is believed to have a maximum capacity of 75 passengers - may be carrying more than 200 passengers.

The express boat was extremely packed with timbercamp, oil palm and timber plantation workers returning home for the Gawai Dayak festival this weekend.

Gawai is one of the most important festivals celebrated each year by Borneo's dozens of indigenous tribes and other ethnic groups. Every year during Gawai festival, thousands of people travel to meet their friends and family.