(12/23/2011)
At least 16 corpses have washed up on various shores in Bali, representing a small portion of an estimated 206 people who lost their lives when a ship smuggling a group of illegal immigrants to Australia capsized near Trenggalek, East Java on Saturday, December 17, 2011.
The decomposing bodies in Bali have emerged from the surf at Pantai Batu Bolang, Bali Cliff Beach in Ungasan, Canggu Beach (North Kuta), Padang Bai, Lembongan Island, Kusamba and Serangan island. Other bodies are floating ashore in various locations along the coast of East Java while a flotilla of boats continue to comb the surrounding waters in search of surivors or victims.
Meanwhile, police have named two Indonesian men, Bambang (40) and Nuryanto (36), as suspects in the sinking of the ship that was attempting to illegally smuggle Middle-Easterners to Australia via Java.
Bambang has been identified by police as both the Master and the Owner of the stricken ship Barokah, while Nuryanto is listed as a member of the crew.
Press reports allege the involvement of at least three army officers who reportedly facilitated the departure of the large group of illegal immigrants from Popoh beach in Java. The identity of the military police is known and they are being interrogated by military police authorities.
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