Indonesian rescuers to right capsized ferry in search for 129 missing

On Wednesday, two navy teams started an underwater search but were forced to withdraw because the current was moving at nearly seven knots, Syafii said, adding that diving is recommended only when the current is below 1.5 knots.

Some evidence discovered during the dives will be given to the National Transportation Safety Committee, which is investigating the incident, said Galih Nurna Putra, the navy commander in Banjarmasin, without providing further details of what was found.

Air and sea surface searches on Wednesday did not find any of the 129 people still missing, Syafii said. Similar air and surface searches will take place on Thursday.

The ship capsized around 80 nautical miles (150 kilometres) from Banjarmasin port, and it has since moved around 450 metres and is in waters that are around 29 metres deep, Syafii said. According to Indonesia's Maritime Law, the ship's owner is required to remove or tow it if it disrupts shipping lanes, he added.

(Reporting by Ananda Teresia; Editing by John Mair)

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