Customs office boat sinks in Riau

A patrol boat belonging to the Customs and Excise Office sank off the coast between Karang Selatan and Tanjung Tondang, near Tanjung Pinang in Riau Island, Thursday while in pursuit of alleged smugglers.

The 28-meter-long patrol boat, type BC 20001, sank because of bad weather, spokesman Evi Suharyanto said late Thursday.

"The ship’s captain and officers were saved by the patrol boat [type] BC 7005," he said.

The Customs and Excise Office did not elaborate on the operation details.

Separately, Navy spokesman Commodore Iskandar Sitompul told Antara state news agency that two Navy ships had been deployed to help evacuate people from the floundering ship.