Indonesia arrests captain of tourist ferry after deadly fire

Red Cross and rescue workers prepare to remove the remains of a victim after a fire ripped through a boat carrying tourists to islands north of the capital, at Muara Angke port in Jakarta, Indonesia January 1, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

JAKARTA -- Indonesian police have detained and declared suspect captain of a tourist ferry that caught fire on New Year's Day, leaving 23 dead and 17 missing, police said on Tuesday.

The Zahro Express ferry, carrying over 200 people and heading to a nearby Tidung resort Island, caught fire on Sunday after about 20 minutes departing from a seaport in Muara Angke of Jakarta.

Mohamad Nail, captain of the vessel, was accused of alleged negligence, Senior Commissioner Hero Hendrianto Bachtiar, director of Jakarta marine police said.

"The captain navigated a vessel which was not appropriate for sailing that caused deadly incident," Bachtiar said.

According to local search and rescue office, the number of people on board was about double the figure in the manifest.

The captain could face a ten-year jail term if found guilty, according to the police officer.

Besides, the transport ministry also threatened to lift the captain's license for sailing, said Tony Budiono, director general for marine affairs at the ministry.

The captain was blamed for escaping responsibility during the incident, the director said.

"The captain jumped first when the incident started. Actually he is now a captain. He must be the last person escaping the incident, like the captain of Titanic ship. We will lift his license," said Budiono.

Search for the missing persons continued on Tuesday, involving around 20 of divers, according to local search and rescue office.

The national transport safety committee has undertaken investigation over the sea incident.