Eight more holidaymakers have been rescued after a boat capsized in Indonesian waters. (9NEWS)
August 18, 2014
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- Published on Monday, 18 August 2014 15:29
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Eight more foreigners and five Indonesians have been rescued this morning, two days after their tourist boat sank as it travelled between Indonesian islands.
"They were all found together, some in a lifeboat and some floating with their life jackets on around 60 miles (100 kilometres) off Sape," on the east of Sumbawa island, said search and rescue official Budiawan.
He could not immediately give details of their nationalities but it's now believed there were no Australians on board when the vessel sank en route to Komodo Island.
A total of 18 foreigners and five Indonesians have now been rescued following the weekend sinking, and two foreigners remain missing.
It is believed the boat hit a reef in stormy weather after its engine died.
Indonesian authorities were not made aware of the incident until the next day.
Rescued survivors from the boat wreck are recuperating in Bima. (AFP/Getty)
The vessel was reportedly a type of wooden Phinisi schooner, called Versace Amara.
There were 25 people on board, including 20 tourists, four crew and one tourist guide.
It is believed the passengers were headed to the home of the Komodo dragon, the world's biggest lizard.
One of the rescued tourists said the survivors ate leaves and drank their own urine while waiting for help.
French man Bertrand Homassel told Philippines news organisation Rappler that the boat started sinking after a storm damaged its hull, forcing people to leap for safety.
He said he and several others swam for more than six hours to reach the nearest island, Sangreang, which was about five kilometres away.
They spent Saturday night on the island, and were rescued on Sunday when they managed to gain the attention of a passing boat.
Several others were picked up by fishing boats while still in the water.
August 18, 2014: The Department of Foreign Affairs is urgently trying to confirm whether any Australians were on board a tourist boat that sunk off Indonesia.
Those tourists rescued so far have been taken to a hotel on the island of Bima.
Indonesian authorities have said the first group rescued were from the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, France, Britain, and New Zealand.
The boat left from Lombok, which is next to the resort island of Bali, and attracts thousands of tourists each year.
Indonesia has a poor maritime safety record, despite using boats to connect more than 17,000 islands.
Two vessels sank in the surrounding waters last month, leaving at least 36 people dead.
Additional reporting by AFP.
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Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/national/2014/08/17/20/05/boat-missing-east-of-bali#4kbfHrBOg8gMFhoF.99