JAKARTA, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Ten people, including eight children, have died and one passenger is missing after a ferry sank two days ago off the Indonesian side of Borneo island, an official said on Monday.

Eddy Royani, head of the Sukamara port in Central Kalimantan province, said the Karya Mandiri was carrying 60 people.

The vessel sank about 40 miles (65 km) from the port of Sukamara, which lies 580 km (360 miles) northeast of Jakarta.

"It (sank) because the rope to its rudder was cut, then waves hit the ship. Fishermen around the waters rescued the survivors," Royani said, adding the boat had sailed for 32 hours from West Kalimantan province before the incident.

Ferries are a popular means of transport between Indonesia's 17,000 islands, where sea connections are cheaper and more available than air routes. However, safety standards are not strictly enforced.

AlertNet news is provided by

Delicio.us  |   Digg  |   NewsVine  |   Reddit