Over 500 sink off Indonesian coast

The ship, Senopati, sank while going from Sumarang in Java to the port of Kumai in central Kalimantan province.

A ship with at least 500 people ship sank off the coast of Indonesia, local media said on Saturday.

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With only eight survivors rescued, it is feared the death toll will be high, the Jakarta Post reported.

Navy Commander Colonel Yan Simamora told Indonesian radio that the Senopati went down at around midnight on Friday while going from Sumarang in central Java to the port of Kumai in central Kalimantan province.

"The rescue team, using helicopters and ships, has been searching for other passengers, but limited visibility and bad weather are hampering the rescue," he said. "Because of the high waves and wind, I am afraid many have died."