The ferry, which was carrying 40 passengers, sank at approximately midnight (16:00 GMT) in Central Mawasangka Bay. Six passengers were rescued and are being treated in hospital.

The cause of the sinking is not yet known, but it is believed that the ferry may have been overloaded. The boat ship carrying 40 passengers exceeded the capacity of the ship, which is a maximum of 20 passengers.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing, but the chances of finding any more survivors are slim.

Boat accidents are relatively common in Indonesia, due to the country's large number of islands and waterways.

The most common causes of boat accidents in Indonesia are overloading, poor maintenance, and bad weather.

Overloading is a major problem in Indonesia, as many boats are operated by small businesses that are not able to afford to carry the legally required number of passengers.

Poor maintenance is also a problem, as many boats are not properly maintained and are therefore more likely to break down or capsize.

Bad weather is also a factor in many boat accidents, as Indonesia is located in a region that is prone to storms and strong winds. (ILKHA)