Ramadan- a month of fasting that the Muslims look forward to. A time to spend with friends, family and Allah.
Only these people were not that fortunate to complete the whole month of fasting.
A passenger boat overloaded with people heading home to celebrate the end of Ramadan with their families capsized Wednesday off Indonesia’s Sulawesi island, killing at least 13, a rescue official said.
The Arista was travelling from Paotere port in South Sulawesi province to the nearby island of Barrang Lompo near Makassar, the provincial capital, when it capsized after being battered by a 3-meter (10-foot) wave, said an official of the local search and rescue agency.
search teams and local fisherman rescued 22 people. The wooden boat was carrying 43 people but was designed for just 20.
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Rescuers recovered at least 13 bodies from the choppy waters, including four children, and were searching for eight others who were reportedly still missing. No more victims had been found despite improved weather conditions and extra boats joining the search.
The news comes as disaster also struck off the coast of South Sumatra when a speedboat carrying 30 passengers sank.
On Wednesday, the speedboat carrying 30 people capsized near Palembang city, who is coordinating the search and rescue effort. Rescuers recovered three bodies and there were 27 survivors.
Millions of Muslims across the country travel to their hometowns to celebrate the weeklong Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
Boats and ferries are popular means of transportation in the archipelago nation with more than 17,000 islands. Accidents due to overcrowding and poor safety standards are common.
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