Sumatra Islands, Nov 22 (THAINDIAN NEWS) According to Indonesian transportation officials, reported that at least nine people were killed after a ferry sank off Riau province near Sumatra Island. 230 were rescued on Sunday due to the diligence of the rescue effort teams. 17 people were reported to be missing.

The ferry, which sank, is supposed to carry passengers between Riau and Batam Island. The ministry of transportation estimated that at least 260 people were aboard. However, Sunaryo who is the directorate general for sea traffic reportedly said that 209 people had been rescued, even though the local reports said that 230 had been rescued.

There were very strong winds and waves that delayed the rescuers from saving the stranded passengers.

A passenger Riki, who was on that ferry and who escaped, said that he escaped from the ship by breaking a window and was rescued by fishermen, the official news agency Antara reported.

“It was too fast … and the ship crew did not tell us about the situation at all,” he said. “We only managed to get out after I broke the glass window on the right side. That was the only way because there were many people jostling for the doors.”

Indonesian ferry accidents have killed numerous of people in recent years, as boats and ferries are mostly overcrowded, and safety regulations are hardly enforced at all.