At least 15 people lost their lives on Monday in a devastating boat sinking incident off the coast of Indonesia’s Sulawesi island, according to search and rescue officials. The wooden boat, carrying 48 people, sank just after midnight (17.00:GMT on Sunday), resulting in the tragic loss of lives and leaving six others rescued and taken to the hospital for treatment.

The local office of Indonesia’s search and rescue agency provided updates on the situation, confirming that all missing passengers had been accounted for. Earlier reports had indicated that 19 people were missing, but Muhamad Arafah, the head of the local search and rescue agency in Kendari city, Southeast Sulawesi, clarified that the operation had been concluded and officially closed.

The boat was crossing a bay between the villages of Lanto and Lagili in Central Buton regency on Muna island when the incident occurred. As per local rescue office spokesperson Wahyudin, the passengers had initially been recorded as missing because they had managed to rescue themselves and return to land before going home.

The wooden boat was a passenger vessel, not a ferry as previously reported, according to Wahyudin. Although the cause of the sinking is under investigation, Indonesian media reported that the boat was overcrowded as villagers had gathered to travel for a local celebration.

Marine accidents remain a concerning issue in Indonesia, a vast archipelago with around 17,000 islands, where people heavily rely on ferries and small boats for transportation despite poor safety standards. Overcrowding and discrepancies between passenger manifests and the actual number of people onboard are common challenges in the region.