Ferry capsizes in Malaysian river, 21 missing

An overloaded ferry capsized after hitting rocks in a remote river in Malaysia's part of tropical Borneo island on Tuesday, leaving 21 people missing and feared trapped inside the vessel, police said. Another 181 survivors swam ashore or were rescued by villagers. The vessel was carrying nearly three times its recommended limit of 74 passengers, including many indigenous tribal palm oil and timber workers returning to their home villages for a harvest festival holiday, said Bakar Sibau, a district police chief in Malaysia's Sarawak state. Police divers, fire department officers and villagers were searching for the missing passengers in the river, known for stretches of swift-flowing rapids. "We believe some of them might still be trapped inside the boat," Bakar said, adding that the passengers included men, women and children. Rom Kulleh, a political aide who flew in a helicopter over the river shortly after the accident, said he and his state legislator boss saw the overturned boat. "We spotted some people being saved by villagers in smaller boats," Rom told the Associated Press.