Indonesia, Aug 25 (BNO NEWS): At least six people are confirmed dead after a passenger speed boat carrying 40 people capsized on the Indonesian island of Borneo, local media reported on Thursday.

The accident happened at around 8.30 a.m. local time on Wednesday morning when a strong wave struck the Anugerah Jaya speed boat, which was traveling in the Cemeti Strait between Kotawaringin Timur and Katingan districts in Central Borneo, Adjunct Commissioner Sudirman, spokesman of the Katingan water police, told the Antara news agency.

In addition to the six fatal victims, three other passengers were reported missing and are feared to have drowned. Military personnel and Kotawaringin water police have been carrying out the ongoing joint rescue operations.

According to police reports, the Anugerah Jaya speed boat had departed at 7 a.m. local time that morning from the Mentawai Baru Hilir in the Kotawaringin Timur district. Just 90 minutes after leaving, the boat, which was mostly carrying Lebaran holiday travelers, capsized. The speed boat was led by skipper Aliansyah.

The recovered bodies were transferred to Pegatan, Katingan district in Central Borneo. They were identified as Tugiyati, Sri Walujeng, Rumaningsih, Kris, Rudi, and Joni. The three missing passengers were named M. Nurhuda, Wika, and Nika.