WEST NUSA TENGGARA, Indonesia
Rescuers have found all but two of the 25 people on board a tourist boat that sank late Saturday while island hopping in Indonesia's east.
Rescue official Budiawan - most Indonesians use only one name - told the Jakarta Post that after ten foreign nationals were found by local fishermen Sunday, another 12 were rescued Monday
"They were all found together, some in a lifeboat and some floating with their lifejackets on around 60 miles (100 kilometers) off Sape," on the east of Sumbawa island, which is close to the volcanic island of Sangeang.
"The search operation is continuing this morning, and involves the military and police," he added.
The wooden vessel is reported to have been struck by a 3-meter-high wave in bad weather and then hit a reef and capsized at 10:00 p.m. local time Saturday while sailing to Komodo Island from Lombok.
Some of those rescued Sunday were reported to have swum for hours to Sangeang, even though the volcano on the island was erupting at the time.
On arriving, they discovered the island was deserted, and were reported to have resorted to eating leaves and drinking their own urine to quench their thirst.
Komodo is part of the Lesser Sunda chain of islands, and part of the Komodo National Park. It is a popular destination for diving and home to the famous monitor lizards, which draw many thousands of tourists each year.
At least 36 people died in accidents in the country last month when vessels sank as millions of Muslims travelled home from overseas for Eid.
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