97 people rescued from sinking ferry near Indonesia's Batam

SINGAPORE: About 100 people were rescued when a Singapore-bound ferry hit a floating object and started to sink near the Indonesian island of Batam, maritime officials here said today.

Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) said it received a report last night that Indonesia-registered ferry ' Sea Prince' had hit a floating object after leaving Batam, one of the popular resort islands about 40 minute ride from Singapore.

Ferry operator Batamfast called out two other ferries that rescued all 90 passengers and seven crew and took them back to the Nongsapura ferry terminal in Batam, it said.

All the passengers are accounted for and the ferry is in a stable condition, MPA said.