Indonesian Ferry Blaze

At least 13 people were killed when a fire broke out overnight on an Indonesian ferry with more than 400 people aboard, forcing passengers to leap into the sea to escape the blaze. The survivors jumped into the sea wearing life jackets and were picked up by boats. Many were transferred to two hospitals in Java for treatment.

The Indonesian archipelago of more than 17,000 islands is heavily dependent on ferry services but the industry has a poor safety record and fatal accidents are common. Institute for Transportation Studies researcher Izzul Waro linked the numerous accidents to the archipelago's complex geography but also to the lack of a solid transportation safety system.

Source: By Agence France-Presse, 1/28/2011