Rescue Operations Ongoing Following Incident

Two Britons are among a number of people who have been hospitalised after a tourist boat travelling between islands in Indonesia sank on Saturday (August 16th).

It is believed that 20 tourists, a guide and four crewmembers were on board the vessel which came into difficulties close to the volcanic island of Sangeang Api, near Sumbawa. A Dutch man and an Italian woman are still thought to be missing and rescue efforts to locate them are continuing.

The UK Foreign Office has confirmed two British nationals were hospitalised after being involved in the incident, with others also being from France, Germany, Spain and New Zealand.

Reports have suggested that ten people were initially rescued with a further 13 being found this morning.

It is thought the boat was undertaking a three-day trip when the incident occurred.

Expert Opinion

This is undoubtedly a worrying case and the key priority at present has to be ensuring that those who remain missing following this awful incident are found as quickly as possible.

"Through our work acting on behalf of people injured in a range of incidents across the globe, including those affected by boating or cruise-related problems, we have seen how such problems can leave those affected desperate for answers regarding what has happened.

"It is vital that everything possible is done to ensure the passengers affected by this incident are given as much information as possible regarding the circumstances, as well as what will be done to prevent such problems from ever occurring again.

"Everything possible must be done to ensure lessons are learned from an incident of this nature." Philip Banks - Partner