The death toll from a ferry accident between Kupang and Rote in East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia, jumped to 55 on Friday, the Jakarta Post daily reported on Saturday.

Rescuers have found 45 bodies three days after a ferry carrying more than 160 people sank in a narrow strait between the East Nusa Tenggara capital of Kupang and nearby Rote island, said the report.

The evacuation process, which involved a police helicopter and navy warships, have found 126 survivors.

Minister of Transportation Hatta Radjasa said Thursday the accident was caused by tidal waves on the strait, some 2,000 km east of Jakarta.

The ferry can carry up to 400 people and a number of vehicles, Hatta said, ruling out possibility that the accident was caused by over-capacity.

Source: Xinhua